David Griffin Probably Wouldn't Have Said a Word About LeBron if He Didn't Get Lucky With Pelicans
By Aaron Halford
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, current Pelicans and former Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin described the obstacles he faced in Cleveland.
More specifically, Griffin talked about the challenges of managing a team with LeBron James and the scrutiny that comes with it.
Covered a lot of ground in recent pod with David Griffin on building around LeBron James in Cleveland and his consistent context was this: The scrutiny and unforgiving pressure surrounding the environment inspired the joylessness of Cavs title run, not James himself. https://t.co/LgjSCmkHbr
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2019
Now as the General Manager for the New Orleans Pelicans, Griffin has received high praise from the media for how he's reconstructed and revamped last year's roster. Griffin was able to get a hoard of young players and draft picks for Anthony Davis, setting up the Pelicans nicely for the near future.
And while Griffin doesn't necessarily deserve credit for the Pelicans getting the No. 1 pick and drafting Zion Williamson, it seemingly makes his first summer all the more impressive.
Would Griff have any credibility if he wasn’t in the front office with Lebron on team? Griff for the last 2 years you praised Lebron for buying into the Culture in Cleveland and how professional he was and now your saying it’s inorganic?! Your real problem was Dan Gilbert!!! ???
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) August 1, 2019
The Pelicans' successful offseason has given Griffin a platform to speak negatively about LeBron James, but LeBron was the one who brought Cleveland back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals to a 73-win team, not Griffin.
While he's received a lot of acclaim for how he's rebuilt the Pelicans, the season still hasn't started. Griffin should be more careful with how he speaks about LeBron until a banner is hanging at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.