“A secondary GM within the team” – Brendan Haywood describes what type of impact LeBron James had on the Cavaliers originally appeared on Basketball Network.
LeBron James has been the face of the franchise since he made his debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Early in his career, James had to mature and learn how to lead his team. Over the years, he got better at it and became a master of uniting his teammates.
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According to former Cavs big man Brendan Haywood, James’ leadership style was admirable and inspiring in many ways. Haywood emphasized that LBJ was also a true competitor like Michael Jordan, but they communicated to their teammates differently.
Though it doesn’t look like it, Haywood revealed that LeBron was all about collective success and collaboration. In fact, it almost felt like James was managing the whole franchise from within because of how great he was as a leader.
“LeBron wants to win as well,” Haywood told Yahoo Sports in 2018. “But he might come out one day and be passive, because he’s trying to get other guys involved. … He’s trying to be more of a game manager, a secondary GM within the team.”
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The legend of “LeGM” isn’t true
It’s not what Haywood meant when he referred to James as a “GM,” but many are convinced that LBJ really is sort of one. However, former Cavs guard Jordan McRae doesn’t remember Bron that way.
As per McRae, James has indeed been a very influential figure in Cleveland for apparent reasons. However, contrary to the infamous “LeGM” narrative that’s being pushed by fans and the media, McRae said he had never seen James act like that.
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For McRae, considering everything LeBron has done for the Cavs, he probably has earned the right to discuss matters with the team’s brass. Even if that were the case, McRae insists that James chose not to be entitled.
“When you are a star in the NBA, when you are the franchise of the team, I think that if the GM is going to make a choice, I think that is a conversation that they should have,” McRae once said. “But LeBron does not make calls and say ‘cut him’ or ‘get rid of him.’ He is not that kind of guy.”
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LeBron is a leader, not a boss
Based on Haywood and McRae’s recollection of James as a leader, it seems like there’s a duality in his character that many fail to realize. Unlike Haywood and McRae, most fans view James’ commanding presence on the court as something negative or unimpressive.
For them, LeBron is controlling, and they speculate he does the same off the court. James has been criticized for allegedly manipulating his team’s front office for years and abusing his star power. One of the most infamous beliefs in the NBA in recent years is that James has the final say in free agency decisions. Hence, he earned an unofficial moniker, “LeGM.”
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Regardless of what is being said and written about James, Haywood, and McRae still remember LBJ as a model teammate and leader. For them, LeBron wasn’t bossy. If anything, he was a people person. Whatever type of leader James is in the eyes of many NBA fans, the truth is that he embraces this role with passion.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.