http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/04/david_blatt_2.html
CLEVELAND, Ohio - When the ship sinks, the captain is typically the one to blame. When the ship is sailing peacefully and making it to its destination without delay or quandary, the captain receives the bulk of the praise.
That's why it's imperative to give credit where credit is due.
The Cavalier' David Blatt was recently
named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for March after leading his team to an 11-4 record. Since Jan. 15, Blatt's schemes and strategic methods have equated to an NBA-best record of 29-7.
It's a testament to his prevailing through the scrutiny and criticism he's endured in one of the most difficult situations imaginable for a first-year NBA head coach.
There's a certain level of constant dissecting and overanalyzing that comes with coaching the best player in the world in LeBron James. I have been guilty of that as well as other media. It's no easy task for any NBA coach.
Blatt and James granted Northeast Ohio Media Group a brief one-on-one interview on the topic of growth, the handling of adversity and validation.
No matter the turmoil, the dysfunction, or the tuning out, Blatt was repeatedly
forced to respond. But he's still standing tall, and his latest honor represents how he persevered and overcame when most didn't think he would make it this far.
"I don't think so much about that. I'm thankful that I got the opportunity to work with these group of players and have the kind of talent to work with," Blatt told NEOMG. "We obviously as a team have come together and our record reflects that, and if I'm part of that and I get recognition for that, then that's the message I'm sending out everyday anyway.
"It's not about what you do individually; it's about what the team does. And in return, everybody gets part of the glow. That's what it's about."
People tend to mention James' returning from his two-week hiatus as being the turning point of the Cavaliers' season. Others say Timofey Mozgov bringing that defensive presence was what turned the team around; and some have said it was J.R. Smith's catch-and-shoot ability that triggered the emergence.
Not many, if any, have credited Blatt for integrating the new pieces flawlessly while continually placing James and Kyrie Irving in positions to play at such a high level. Not only did he have his own learning curve to deal with, but also he had to impart his philosophies into the new players on the fly and in the process, win basketball games.
It has been a rocky road, but the road has since smoothed out with time.
Have James and Blatt always seen eye-to-eye? No. That's not reality. It never is between a coach and star player, but James says he respects his head coach to the fullest and he couldn't be happier for him.
"
I just think he continues to learn every single day, and I'm so excited that I can be a part of his transition from the Euro Basketball League to now the NBA," James told NEOMG. "All the hard work he put into coaching, this is a dream of his and for him to be Coach of the Month, I know it's a validation.
"Even though he talks about that he doesn't need a validation to be a part of this league, it gives him even more of validation to say 'I belong here.'
I'm a part of his first Coach of the Month, so it's pretty cool."
Following the Cavaliers
winning their 17th straight game at home on Thursday by disposing of the Miami Heat, Blatt was reluctant to speak of his first NBA award and instead redirected the commendation.
"That's just the result of having a lot of good players to coach."
Blatt is right. He does have some pretty good players. Nonetheless, the way in which he has evolved and adapted shouldn't go unnoticed. Despite his accomplished coaching resume, he's not a finished product. There are still some nuances of the NBA game, and everything that comes with the NBA game, that he's still picking up on.
Slowly but surely, for those that remain skeptical, he's legitimizing his place in this league.
"You have to understand that it's still his first year," Cavs big man Kendrick Perkins said. "Making that transition from overseas to the NBA ball is night and day. Even though people say it's still basketball, but it's still night and day. He's still learning a few things, but I love his approach to the game, his preparation to the game and I think he will be fine."
Cleveland is close to locking up
the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and will be entering the playoffs for the first time in four years. The landscape of the league has certainly changed. The Cavaliers will be strong favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals.
General Manager David Griffin along with LeBron James and company have been integral in transforming the team's culture into one that exemplifies winning above all. They deserve the acclaim, but so does Blatt.
Game by game he's justifying his place, and doing it his way.
"He took a lot of flak from you and everyone else. Everybody," Cavs center Tristan Thompson said. "But you know that's part of being new to the game and winning everybody's confidence. He's developed so much over the season. He's come a long way and I think you guys see it and we see it. As the leader of our team, and the head, he's come a long way and I think he's definitely showed everyone that he belongs."
