LeBron James is totally cool with his former head coach, David Blatt, getting a ring.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ championship season didn’t come without some bumps, as the team opted to fire head coach David Blatt mid-season despite a 30-11 record. The rest is history: assistant Tyronn Lue took over and guided James and the Cavaliers to the organization’s first championship.
Lue made sure Blatt, who was fired not because the Cavs record, but because reportedly he didn’t command enough respect in the locker room, got a reminder for being part of Cleveland’s success. The current coach of Darüşşafaka S.K. of the Turkish League accepted the Cavaliers’ offer of a championship ring, and Lue was a reason why he accepted.
“I had to fight him a little bit,” Lue told Cleveland.com. “He didn’t want to do it. But he definitely deserves one. I’m glad he accepted it and I’m glad the organization is going to get him one.”
James, who had a tenuous relationship with Blatt in Cleveland, expressed support in giving Blatt a ring.
“That’s an organizational thing and if that’s what they wanted to do then we’re all for it. Who am I to say who can or can’t get a ring?”
Blatt being offered and accepting the championship ring is a great way to close what was, at times, an awkward, unfortunate relationship. Blatt deserves credit for building the Cavaliers before Lue took over. A championship ring should suffice.
