This is going to get blown out of proportion, but it’s a needed growing pain for both parties involved.
David Blatt is coaching the most dominant player and personality he’s ever come across in his distinguished career. Blatt may have a huge reputation around the globe, but in Cleveland, he’s just rookie coach leading a juggernaut.
The former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach seemed to cast his ego aside at times to allow James to commandeer the Cavs huddle during timeouts.
In the below snippets, you can see Blatt trying to find the right times to interrupt James–who’s simply doing what leaders do by doling out instructions and reinforcement.
At times Blatt would circle the huddle looking like a lost puppy. Others times, Blatt would actually nudge LeBron to the side and re-establish hierachy in the huddle.
LeBron should actively lead, but Blatt also has to establish who’s system and foundation he’s leading.