Former Cavaliers general manager David Griffin joined the Pelicans in April and led a sweeping overhaul of the roster, highlighted by the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade and the addition of No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, which has transformed the Pelicans into one of the most exciting projects in the league. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Griffin sounds like he has a new lease on life, having found himself “miserable” during his stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Griffin openly discussed the challenges of guiding the LeBron James-led Cavaliers to a title, while under immense pressure from both owner Dan Gilbert and James to construct a title-worthy roster with no extra cap space. Griffin said he became so stressed and consumed with helping to deliver a title that he eventually fell out of love with the game of basketball. James’ arrival in 2014 left Griffin in tears.
Griffin celebrated at first, then collapsed on his office floor in tears after James’ letter ran on SI.com, overwhelmed by the sudden pressure to deliver The King’s coveted ring. Noise around a superteam is deafening. It can cause combustible conditions. ‘The reason is LeBron is getting all the credit and none of the blame. And that’s not fun for people,” Griffin says. ‘They don’t like being part of that world.'”
Griffin also made an eye-brow raising claim about James’ commitment to winning. According to Griffin, after James carried the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA title, overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Warriors in the Finals, the four-time league MVP hasn’t had the same burning desire to win.
Via Sports Illustrated:
“The following season, however, brought that fantasy summer crashing back to reality. James’ contagious hunger to deliver a championship for Northeast Ohio dissipated. ‘There wasn’t a lot else for him,’ Griffin says. ‘I don’t think he’s the same animal anymore about winning.'”
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