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ESPN Report Shows Just How Little Respect LeBron James Has For David Blatt

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USA TODAY Sports-Dale Zanine

USA TODAY Sports-Dale Zanine

As the NBA Playoffs progressed, it became clear there was a power struggle between LeBron James and David Blatt. James was clearly calling most of the plays and orchestrating the major decisions the Cleveland Cavaliers were making throughout each pivotal game.

In his first year as an NBA head coach, Blatt led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals before falling in six games to the Golden State Warriors, but even after all that success, he still might be fired. Making matters worse, Marc Stein of ESPN wrote a truly eye-opening report detailing just how disrespectful James was to Blatt during the Finals.

“And we likewise saw LeBron emasculate Blatt in ways that are simply unbecoming of a player of James’ legend-in-the-making stature.” Stein wrote on Thursday.

“I saw it from close range in my role as sideline reporter through the Finals for ESPN Radio. LeBron essentially calling timeouts and making substitutions. LeBron openly barking at Blatt after decisions he didn’t like. LeBron huddling frequently with Lue (Cavaliers’ assistant coach) and so often looking at anyone other than Blatt.”

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We could already sense that James was not a big supporter of his head coach, but these reports definitely don’t cast a positive light on the self-proclaimed best player on the planet.

As Stein wrote, no matter how inept James might think the coach is, blatantly showing Blatt up is not going to help the team in the slightest. If anything, it will lead to the rest of the roster treating Blatt in a similar fashion.

Stein gave one example of just how poorly James treated Blatt.

“There was LeBron, in one instance I witness from right behind the bench, shaking his head vociferously in protest after one play Blatt drew up in the third quarter of Game 5, amounting to the loudest nonverbal scolding you could imagine. Which forced Blatt, in front of his whole team, to wipe the board clean and draw up something else.”

You would think that James would demand for Blatt to be fired, but apparently that might not be the case. According to Brian Windhorst, an ESPN reporter who has followed James since his High School days, James actually wouldn’t mind having Blatt back next season because he “likes having Blatt to kick around.”

For the first time in his career, James is receiving praise even after losing in the Finals. He gained a ton of respect from fans around the league this season, but this report definitely won’t help.

Seth Lassen is a writer for RantSports. ‘Like’ him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @Seth_Lassen.

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