LeBron James reportedly didn’t believe in David Blatt early this season.
They couldn’t exactly hide their inability to get on the same page.
Even when LeBron tried to praise Blatt, he added things like, “What other coach do we have?”
But maybe their relationship has finally turned a corner.
LeBron on Blatt, via Brad Bournival of the Boston Herald
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This is big progress, and it comes at an important time. But winning cures all ills, and the Cavaliers – who lead their first-round series against the Celtics, 2-0 – have won a lot lately.
Will LeBron’s confidence in Blatt survive a few losses? What happens if Cleveland trails in a series?
The best answer is not to find out.
Blatt has improved as a coach since earlier in the season, which is to be expected from an NBA rookie. LeBron surely recognizes that, though he has always credited players over coaches more than most do (as his quote reflects). LeBron – playing with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and a solid support cast – doesn’t need Blatt to be a great coach. Not this early in the playoffs, at least.
But LeBron needs a cohesive team as the Cavaliers advance deeper, and the best way to achieve that is enabling Blatt. As long as LeBron supports the coach, everyone else should fall in line – and that makes winning a lot easier.
