Also encouraging to see Lebron waiting in background while Kevin was being interviewed to make their exit together.
Such a strange year. All I know is we're better with him, and he's playing hard.
If I had to guess I think Lebron has schooled Kevin on givng absolutely nothing away. Not to media. Not to ownership. Never let them know what you're thinking.
When you read between the lines of all the talk last year about Lebron's feelings on Spoelstra, Riley's dictates, coaching, team values and the players union, I keep getting the sense that all of them are playing everything close to the vest. They do the interviews that are necessary, but never give an ounce of insight into their thoughts. Always pleasant but guarded.
I really think the media is in the total dark and guessing every morsel of their stories. If they won't give you anything, you have to make it up. Your entire existence is about having something to report. We have no idea won't do even if true.
I think a rift occurred over the last deal which angered the players far more than even reported. I don't think its really personal between Blatt and his players. I think they like him probably as a man, but he's management. I think Lebron formed his opinion long before Blatt was even in the league.
I think Lebron simply is in cold war mode until the next labor agreement and is able to engender his teammates to adopt the same philosophy. We'll play, we'll do our best, but generally locking out management and the entire media establishment that they are enriching until the time comes when they get a fair deal.
That's the only thing that makes sense to me when you really listen. Every guy interviewed has the same feel. Polite, pleasant, say the right thing, but a strong sense that they are not at all going to give you a glimpse into their mindset.
The media has just been laughably wrong on so much that they can't have real sources. And management looks shook also, like they don't exactly know where they stand. I think the players are keeping the entire establishment uneasy intentionally. I'm never a conspiracy theorist, but guys who are generally viewed as inner circle media have been just way way wrong repeatedly, and I can't think of a logical reason for that other than its by design by the players.
Basically the only guys who haven't embarassed themselves are the Wojs of the world who report on transactions.
When anything calls for speculation, the top of the field has looked like fools the last few years. And it coincided with teams starting to sell for billions and players realizing they got fucked. I don't think that's coincidence. The media was viewed by the players as carrying GM and owners water and are paying for it now.
When they speculate, it's an exercise in masturbation and guesswork amongst themselves. They have no idea what any of these guys are thinking.
This is just a labor dispute playing out under the surface while the games are still going on. And the players view media as pawns of ownership, and they are on lockdown. Love could be thrilled with life. Love could be miserable. They could like Blatt a ton, or think him an idiot. Either way, they're not telling a soul.
Just my opinion.
