The Cavaliers have struggled for the better part of 2017/18 and while they do, tensions continue to mount between LeBron James and the franchise’s management, Jason Lloyd of The Athletic writes.
Even before the club’s moribund loss to the Magic on Tuesday, Lloyd pulled the curtain back on the NBA’s most dysfunctional family in the days leading up to the trade deadline.
Here are some highlights lowlights from the worthwhile read:
- The root of the Cavs’ problems, Lloyd says, can be traced back to two key issues that unfolded during the offseason. First and foremost, the club’s decision to part ways with woefully underpaid general manager David Griffin, and secondly, the Kyrie Irving trade that shook the foundation of the roster.
- While James was vocal about his support for Griffin, team owner Dan Gilbert ultimately gave the job to young, in-house executive Koby Altman. Altman, Lloyd claims, is widely regarded as not ready for the task ahead of him.
- The Griffin decision wasn’t the only time the Cavs went against James’ wishes during the offseason. They opted to sign draft-and-stash prospect Cedi Osman rather than pursue James’ preferred target, veteran Jamal Crawford.
- One of the most substantial moves the Cavs made was to deal Irving after his trade request, fearing that his value would decrease if they waited closer to when he hit free agency (in the summer of 2019). James was convinced that he could mend his relationship with the young point guard if only the club held on to him long enough to go through training camp with the team.
- According to Lloyd, James essentially has no relationship with either Gilbert or Altman. Griffin would often consult with LeBron and keep him apprised of major roster decisions, but that’s no longer happening — James was informed of the Irving trade about 20 minutes before word of the agreement leaked.
- Multiple sources confirmed to Lloyd that James “cursed toward at least two team executives” during the now-infamous team meeting that began with players questioning Kevin Love‘s absence from a practice.
Dam they struggled in 2019 too? Where’s that Delorean at?
It’s well known, and I mean WELL KNOWN, that the NBA season starts in one year and ends in the next one, and that they name seasons by the year it starts/the year it ends.
It’s also well known that I’m super dumb and read that wrong lol
Austin Kent can write. I’ve enjoyed watching Jamal Crawford, and to read that Lebron James wanted him on his side, made me smile. This Hoops Rumors is good for the heart.
Except his is excerpts from Jason Lloyd.
This franchise is 1 giant mess and when Lebron leaves its back to rock bottom
To be fair, it’s a mess because of him. Tristan, JR, Shumpert never get deals if not for Lebron. Kyrie never gets traded or at least not with the haste that he was. And Kevin Love isn’t there, which may or may not be a good thing. I mean Love got into better shape in Cleveland but his game hasn’t improved and that’s partially on James. The guy made moves but when he saw they were bad it was everyone else’s fault. Pretty much what happened the first time around except he won a title this time.
Cleveland’s ownership group is a mess. Always has been. But LeBrom James coming back to Cleveland may prove to be the worst thing for them.
James is protection from ‘messy’ ownership. He can bring guys in, win games on the regular.
Yep. If Cleveland had a good executive and coaching tandem a la Riley and Spoelstra, I think things go much differently.
1. Jason Lloyd has written things I’ve not heard before other than from Jason Lloyd. Now that the cavs are struggling, we’ll hear more from what Jason Lloyd has to say from the Bay Area in California.
2. The Griffin thing is/was a real head scratcher. But I’m just going to say that it’s obvious and reported as such there was a difference of opinion on the philosophy in the direction of the team was to go. Being it’s Gilbert’s team he has that right to choose any head scratcher he wants.
3. This assumption that James could wave his magic wand and make Kyrie play this season is crystal ball stuff. Palm reading to the Uber max. Especially since Kyrie threatened to get a surgery and sit out the season if they didn’t trade him.
4. LeBron, if he’s all in why doesn’t he pick up next year? Hmmmmmmm? So let’s not go to that part where James is this angel and how dare Gilbert ask.
5. The idea that Cleveland is dysfunctional just because the owner wanted some insurance as to the near future of his team is crazy, but hatred toward bc he just didn’t do everything James wanted for this season is reason enough to believe you buy into James will be the King until 2956.
6. I also find it odd that if James is such an angel in all this why did he wait until a few days before the trade deadline to blow up?
6. lol A true angel would have blown up sooner? Interesting picture
6. I’m sure all this losing can’t be at all related to him blowing up. Nope, it’s definitely not him being human and fed up with things out of his control.
Truth is leaking out gradually, that LJ does not run the franchise or pick the players, etc. The locals demanded he go out and recruit FAs which may or may not have worked– and perhaps caused some complications when it did. It is not clear who chose the ones he recruited.
There used to be an “all for one, one for all” ethic going. Haven’t heard that in a while.
I hope books are written!
He never did run the franchise or pick players, he just had a very strong say in who was signed, resigned, or drafted. A good example of this is from his time in Miami where he told the front office that he wanted Shabazz Napier on his team, who the Heat then drafted in the first round. LBJ ended up leaving before he could even share the floor with Napier
sports.yahoo.com/escaping-shadow-lebron-james-tweet-171634749.html
Interestimg thing is, Napier has turned into a fine player with Portland, better than higher-rated players. He is a great return on a #24 pick, albeit for another team.
On the chart in the link, Tyus Jones Minnesota is the #1 backup PG– and he was picked in about the same spot another year by Cleveland!
The Cavs problem is that they entertained Lebron as assistant GM in the first place. He’s an incredible player but that doesn’t mean you have to listen to him.
All this tells me is that LBJ had trust in Griffin because he had insight and input into his moves. Now that he is gone and he no longer has input into moves, he doesn’t trust that an owner and an under-experienced GM can make good things happen.
I don’t like LBJ at all, and he is partially to blame for the Cavs’ current mess but I place most of the blame on Dan Gilbert.