LeBron denies involvement in Blatt firing, 'surprised' by move

Despite general manager David Griffin's protestations, the prevailing perception is that LeBron James calls the shots with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James' clout, coupled with his tense relationship with his former head coach, led many to believe it was James who orchestrated the rude dismissal of David Blatt.

Speaking for the first time since the firing, however, James called the move unfortunate and said he was "surprised and caught off-guard."

While it's easy to assume James played at least some role in Blatt's firing, the four-time MVP isn't concerned about the rumor mill.

"For me, I can't get caught up and worried about what other people are thinking," James said, as relayed by ESPN. "I stopped doing that a long time ago in my career. ... The only thing I can worry about is how I can get these guys better prepared and we can play better basketball."

James might not care what people think, but it's already out there. When it comes to the Cavaliers, James clearly holds considerable sway within the organization, with some believing he's the ultimate decision-maker.