With rumors swirling that Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt is losing his locker room and not getting through to his players, LeBron James was given an opportunity on Monday give Blatt a much-needed endorsement. LeBron essentially declined.
James was specifically asked if Blatt is the “right” coach for the Cavs.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s our coach, what other coach do we have?” LeBron said, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com.
LeBron said that reports of any feud between him and Blatt are simply designed to create a buzz, but he didn’t exactly say he loves playing for the guy.
“Well, listen man, I don’t pay no Bills around here,” LeBron said. “Listen man, I play. I’m happy with who we have at our helm. He’s our coach. But for it to make a feud between me and Blatt or the team and Blatt is just to sell. It’s just to sell and get people to read it and put something on the bottom of the ticker. That’s all it is.
“It’s funny, you could write those same things when we win, too. They just write ’em when we lose because it looks better.”
It should be noted that LeBron openly admitted he has taken over point guard duties for the Cavs without consulting Blatt. Whether he likes Blatt or not, that certainly makes it seem like LeBron thinks (knows?) he is in charge in Cleveland.
Blatt may be the coach, but ownership will do everything in its power to keep LeBron happy. If the Cavs struggle this season and don’t make a deep run in the postseason, Blatt may not be working with LeBron much longer.
