Post practice presser:
http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/video/2015/04/17/150417Blattmov-3575244
- This is a first for this team, and the first for the Cavs in the last 5 years. We don't neet to be thinking about anything except beating Boston right now.
- We had a really good rest and a really good active practice. Same tomorrow, but less intensive.
- The team needs to keep playing our regular game. Take our intensity and focus level up a notch or two or three.
- Our big 3 can create and find their way to score, but they also are very good at finding the other guys in their spots, and the guys know how to play off them, so that's a lethal combination.
- There are not many players in the playoffs right now that have LBJ's experience and understanding of the moment. So we trust him to do the right things.
- Coach refuses to 'put the cart before the horse' and think about what's gonna be in the end. We have a lot of tough basketball ahead of us. We are at the beginning of this process and hopefully will be the same good team we were since Jan, and grow into a successfull playoff team. It's unfair for people to claim we should do this or do that (referring to being favorites to win the title), because this team hasn't done anything yet at this stage. We have to work very very hard and work one step at a time.
- We lean on LeBron a lot all year, as did other teams that he played for. He is coming fresh for the playoffs. He played his lowest MPG in his career and the fewest games in a season. He's focused, in great shape and ready to go. His presence is invaluable.
- LeBron will lead mentally and emotionally. But this can't all be on LeBron. This is a team effort and everybody have to do their part.
- Kyrie is healthy and looked great in practice today.
- We're coming healthy to the playoffs. Together with the medical and physical staff we did a good job this year of keeping everybody fresh. Except for Andy, which is not a fatigue issue, we are a full healthy unit.
- We've shown we can play different kinds of basketball with different kinds of lineups. There are many different factors that are gonna impact the results in the playoffs. The most important thing is a consistent defensive presence and approach, and resposibility level in terms of taking care of the ball. We can do that.
- What gives Blatt confidence going forward is the fact that with all that's been happening (with LeBron coming back, Love signing and the media following) all teams in the league always brought their A game against us and tried to knock us down. And hopefully that strenghtened us and made us ready for the challenges ahead. Coach thinks it has.