LeBron James stressed that he did not influence the Cleveland Cavaliers ' coaching change, saying that he was "surprised and caught off-guard" by the decision to fire David Blatt .
Cavaliers general manager David Griffin says he didn't consult LeBron James before firing David Blatt and that assumptions the team is taking direction from James are unfair.
Mavs coach Rick Carlisle, president of the NBA Coaches Association, said he is "embarrassed for our league" that David Blatt was fired and said Blatt will be highly sought after.
Cavaliers general manager David Griffin on Friday disputed the notion that James was part of the franchise's decision-making process regarding Blatt, saying that the four-time MVP "doesn't run this organization."
A source close to James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin that James "didn't know this was coming" before Griffin gathered the Cavs at the practice facility to inform them that Blatt had been fired.