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Randy Wittman: David Blatt, LeBron James Upped My Appreciation For The Washington Wizards’ Coach

By Ben Mehic

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I’m not a huge fan of Randy Wittman. In fact, I wrote a 1,000+ word article on why the Washington Wizards should fire him.

The stubborn head coach has cost the Wizards plenty of games throughout his time as Washington’s coach. His reluctance to play Trevor Ariza at the four spot — a move that some of his assistant coaches had suggested — cost the Wizards a chance to beat the Indiana Pacers in the semi-finals last year.

From crappy player development to head-scratching rotations, Randy Wittman is to the Wizards what Mark Jackson was to the Golden State Warriors. While I still believe that Wittman will eventually have to lose his job before the Wizards truly become championship contenders, I’ve gained a greater level of appreciation for a number of coaches around the league while watching the NBA Finals, specifically the Cleveland Cavaliers.

For the first time in league history, both teams to reach the Finals were coached by rookies.

Steve Kerr was a top candidate for the Coach of the Year award after leading the Golden State Warriors to 67 wins during the regular season. His decision making was spectacular and didn’t resemble a beginner.

When it came time to make crucial decisions on the biggest stage the NBA has to offer, Coach Kerr changed his starting lineup, opting to start Draymond Green at the center position instead of Andrew Bogut, who started at that spot for most of the season including the playoffs.

Kerr surrounded himself with high-level assistants, including Alvin Gentry, who recently became the New Orleans Pelicans’ new head coach.

On the flip side, the Cleveland Cavaliers had quite the opposite.

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David Blatt accepted the job as Cleveland’s head coach before LeBron James announced his return.

The 16-time champion expected to coach the likes of Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Andrew Wiggins, but instead got Irving, James and Kevin Love — all of whom are NBA All-Stars.

Having three All-Stars on a roster might seem like a coach’s dream, but it obviously didn’t go as planned.

Injuries plagued Cleveland’s season and their lack of depth cost them a legitimate chance at the championship.

Many had questioned Blatt after LeBron had publicly talked about “scratching” his plays during the playoffs. While it’s common for stars to change plays, it was definitely strange to hear LeBron talk about changing the coach’s calls so casually.

Today, though, the dynamic between LeBron and his head coach became even more strange. A report by ESPN’s Marc Stein suggests that the future Hall-of-Famer might not be a fan of Blatt after all:

"I saw it from close range in my role as sideline reporter through the Finals for ESPN Radio. LeBron essentially calling timeouts and making substitutions. LeBron openly barking at Blatt after decisions he didn’t like. LeBron huddling frequently with Lue and so often looking at anyone other than Blatt.There was LeBron, in one instance I witnessed from right behind the bench, shaking his head vociferously in protest after one play Blatt drew up in the third quarter of Game 5, amounting to the loudest nonverbal scolding you could imagine."

In that same report, which you should check out, Stein noted that LeBron “likes having Blatt to kick around.”

It’s very hard to gain the respect of NBA players, especially as a rookie head coach. Blatt is coaching a different team than he expected. Instead of coaching young players and developing them throughout his time in Cleveland, Blatt was expected to win a championship with the best player in the world carrying his squad.

Kerr was handed a team similar to the one Jackson had, except he made the necessary changes that made them a contender. Having world-class assistants certainly helps, too.

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The same cannot be said for Blatt.

Even though he’s probably a good coach and deserves a chance to lead an NBA team, it’s clear that he’s not the right person for Cleveland.

Perhaps LeBron would accept Tyronn Lue as his coach, and at this point, it wouldn’t surprise me if Blatt and the Cavaliers part ways to make room for Lue.

I don’t know what Blatt could’ve done differently during the regular season, but it’s obvious that he didn’t gain LeBron’s respect.

Watching him stare aimlessly on the sidelines was painful at times. Watching LeBron walk by his head coach without even acknowledging his presence is out of character for him. Stein’s report is probably true, and to those who’ve watched the Cavaliers, it’s not surprising.

Seeing the dynamic between LeBron and Blatt has made me appreciate Randy Wittman, along with many other coaches around the league, including Erik Spoelstra.

Wittman is a tough coach, sometimes to a fault, and I don’t think he’d put up with what Blatt has been dealing with. Wittman inherited a team that was led by Andray Blatche, Nick Young and JaVale McGee. While none of those players are on LeBron’s level, Wittman was never afraid to yank the three knuckleheads out of the game when necessary.

Randy Wittman’s presence on the sidelines is always felt. Whether he’s yelling at an official or screaming at Kevin Seraphin, Wittman was visibly the head coach. Heck, he even screamed at a media member in front of his colleagues when he believed his reporting was inaccurate.

Wittman earned the respect of his locker room by being straight-forward and blunt. He might not be the long-term solution, but when Randy Wittman speaks, his players listen.

X’s and O’s are a part of coaching, but having your team bought into you is probably just as important. Randy Wittman might lack the former, but he certainly has the latter and the same cannot be said for David Blatt.

Next: Why the Wizards Should Sign Jerebko

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