CLEVELAND – LeBron James says the criticism that he undermines coaches is unfair.
James said Wednesday that he has never disrespected a coach at any level and he’s bothered by the narrative that he has had a hand in coaches being fired. The Cavaliers dismissed coach David Blatt last week midway through his second season, despite the former European coach leading Cleveland to the NBA Finals last season and the Cavs topping the Eastern Conference standings this season.
James says people get his influence “misconstrued because I’m a smart basketball player and I’ve voiced my opinion about certain things.”
James says he will continue to speak his mind and doing so has helped him win two NBA titles.
The four-time league MVP says it’s unfortunate “that people want to throw my name in dirt for no particular reason.”
Three games in and Blatt’s replacement is already an All-Star coach.
Tyronn Lue and his staff will lead the Eastern Conference at next month’s NBA All-Star Game, clinching the spot following the Cavaliers’ 115-93 victory over Phoenix on Wednesday.
The coaches for the Feb. 14 game in Toronto are determined by the teams with the best record in each conference two weeks before the game.
Lue is 2-1 since replacing Blatt and the Cavs’ current 32-12 mark guarantees they will have the best winning percentage in the conference through Sunday.
San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich will lead the West. Golden State has a better record, but Steve Kerr is ineligible after coaching last year.
James scored 21 points before sitting out — and dancing — in the fourth quarter, Kevin Love added 21 points and 11 rebounds, and the Cavaliers stormed away in the second half the beat Phoenix.
Sluggish for the first 24 minutes, the Cavs opened the second half with a 12-0 run and sent Phoenix to its 17th loss in 19 games.
Rookie Devin Booker paced the Suns with 16 points and P.J. Tucker and Markieff Morris had 13 apiece.