NBA Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers Rejoice Over David Blatt Exit; LeBron James, Kyrie Irving Hold 'Very Healthy' Team Meeting

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers
Feb 1, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) talks to teammates during a time out against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Cavaliers won 111-106 in overtime.  Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers shocked the NBA community with the firing of David Blatt. As the top dogs in the Eastern Conference, the LeBron James team surprised everyone when they decided to part ways with the head coach that brought them to the NBA Finals last season. However, some fans speculate that the Cleveland Cavaliers made the decision to topple a problem beyond the Chicago Bulls or the Atlanta Hawks. That is, Blatt was dismissed due to his inability to formulate a winning strategy against the Golden State Warriors.

Blatt's departure saw the rise of Tyronn Lue as the new head coach. As games passed, it became fairly obvious that issues remain in the Cleveland Cavaliers - concerns that go beyond the coaching staff. This prompted David Griffin to encourage the players to hold a meeting and discuss the issues among themselves. The Cleveland Cavaliers general manager felt it was necessary for the NBA stars to air their grievances without the presence of the coaches and managers.

"It was like ripping off a scab," a source described via ESPN, referring to the players only meeting of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The insider added, "And it was exactly what needed to happen. I think it was what [Griffin] was hoping for."

Another source shared, "It was very healthy for the team. It probably needed to happen weeks ago." Meanwhile, another insider said that the meeting was "the type of conversation that only comes out when it's time for that conversation, if you know what I mean."

According to Brian Windhorst and Zach Lowe of ESPN, one of the main topics discussed was "the need for accountability within the team." The sports analysts further noted that "one of the issues that was keeping the team from enjoying some of the successes of the season was the different set of rules for some players compared to others."

"In what could turn out to be a key moment in their tenures together, James, Irving and Love came to an understanding that they needed to police each other on certain matters and use their influence within the team to set a standard for accountability, sources said," shared Lowe and Windhorst. They added, "That was frequently a missing component over the past season and a half, sometimes creating friction."

Following the change in head coach and the meeting among the Cleveland Cavaliers stars, the Kevin Love squad looked to be improving. In fact, the NBA team won their match against the Indiana Pacers after six years of succumbing to the Paul George squad. The Cleveland Cavaliers snagged an 111-106 overtime win.

"It was a great win for us considering we haven't won here in six years, and I just told the guys after the game that we can't resort back to bad habits when things get tough," said Lue via Cleveland.com. The head coach added, "We have to continue to play the same way we've been playing."

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo