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January 29, 2016

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James talks up his IQ level in sport

Widely criticized in NBA circles for a perception that he pushed for Cleveland鈥檚 front office to fire David Blatt last week, LeBron James said the criticism that he undercuts coaches was unfair. 鈥淏ut what can I do about it?鈥 he asked.

鈥淚鈥檝e never, in my time since I picked up a basketball, ever undermined a coach, ever disrespected a coach,鈥 he said. 鈥淵ou ask any of my little league coaches, my high school coaches, coaches I鈥檝e played for in tournaments, camps, my NBA coaches, I鈥檝e always respected what they wanted to do.鈥

Blatt was fired last Friday midway through his second season despite having them atop the Eastern Conference standings and leading the team to the NBA Finals last season.

Blatt was replaced by Tyronn Lue, his top assistant who has known James since he was a high school phenomenon.

James said his willingness to speak his mind has led to the criticism that he鈥檚 not always on the same page with his coaches. 鈥淧eople get it so misconstrued because I鈥檓 a smart basketball player and I鈥檝e voiced my opinion about certain things, which I did when I was here my first stint with Paul Silas and Mike Brown. Which I did in Miami with Coach Spo. Which I did with Blatt, and I鈥檒l do with T. Lue,鈥 he said.

鈥淎nd at the end of the day, they鈥檒l still have their final call. But, I don鈥檛 know. What do you guys want me to do, turn my brain off because I have a huge basketball IQ? If that鈥檚 what they want me to do, I鈥檓 not going to do it because I鈥檝e got so much to give to the game.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no difference for me telling my teammates or telling guys how to get better with their game. If I feel I got something that will help our team, ultimately, I like to give it. It helped me get two titles.鈥


 

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