David Blatt is a former NBA coach

[CalBuckeyeRob]

Great coaches in any sport are proven problem solvers. To solve a problem you have to be able first to recognize what the problem is; something that many coaches botch as they simply create more problems as they make decisions. Blatt has a history of having his team playing much better at the end then they did at the beginning, grabbing titles and medals where early on that seemed unlikely. It took him awhile to pull it together but it is clear that he is starting to understand how you win and it seems the players are buying in. It should be a treat to watch this guy in a 7 game series with time off between games to allow him to really address the nuances of the match-ups.

 

[D10S]

When LeBron is playing and shooting so well, it does sort of lend to more ISO than in most games. I thought overall our ball movement was good. It was clear when their were trips down the court when plays were being called and when ISO was being called. Blatt has said all along that he would implement a hybrid of his system and one that utilizes the incredible one on one abilities of LeBron and Kyrie.

Yes we can look at how beautiful the Warriors ball movement was, but at the same time the Warriors fans can look at this game and wish they had a player who in crunch time can just score regardless of what the defense is doing.

Right. That's why it's important for Blatt to frame it as "isolation off ball movement". That is - don't take anything away from the great isolation players - let them continue to satisfy their ego by playing some isolation basketball. But, make them believe that it's a way to enhance their great skill. Maybe I'm way off base, but this is what I'd do.

 

[Rick Astley]

Absolutely loved his rotations and timeouts. He didn't give GS the chance to build confidence while his lineups locked them up for 3 quarters and threw away the key. My only concern is Blatt should be making plays for Love in the post and get that MozGod gunning for midrange! Thing of a beauty really!

 

[Zen]

I'm so happy that Blatt wasn't canned when shit was hitting the fan. I really like the guy, I think he is a winner and it really would have been a shame if he didn't get a fair shake.

This team is a pleasure to watch now. Fit is such an important thing in basketball and those trades gave us pieces that gave us a pretty damn complete puzzle.

 

[MirORich]

Right. That's why it's important for Blatt to frame it as "isolation off ball movement". That is - don't take anything away from the great isolation players - let them continue to satisfy their ego by playing some isolation basketball. But, make them believe that it's a way to enhance their great skill. Maybe I'm way off base, but this is what I'd do.

It's not just done to satisfy LeBron or Kyrie's ego. It's because when done in moderation and even more for certain matchups, its a huge tactical advantage and often even the smartest way to go for stretches.

When its done by a guy like LeBron who is more than willing to create off the ISO it lessens the potential negative, "freeze out" impact.

But yes, great ball movement and set motion plays are always a great thing. Our team has shown a greta aptitude for them, when they run them, so I wouldn't expect us to become to reliant on more ISO based plays.

 

[D10S]

Blatt's a rock. In three month's I expect his name to be mentioned with Pop and a few others. We are lucky to have him. Look at Kerr's performance tonight...lots of emotion (which is okay), but the strategy wasn't there. Blatt is a special dude. Of all the things the Cavs have done, hiring this guy might be number one on the list.

 

[D10S]

It's not just done to satisfy LeBron or Kyrie's ego. It's because when done in moderation and even more for certain matchups, its a huge tactical advantage and often even the smartest way to go for stretches.

When its done by a guy like LeBron who is more than willing to create off the ISO it lessens the potential negative, "freeze out" impact.

But yes, great ball movement and set motion plays are always a great thing. Our team has shown a greta aptitude for them, when they run them, so I wouldn't expect us to become to reliant on more ISO based plays.

Agree completely. There's a happy medium. Not so easy to reach though. Players can want to do the right thing but, when the game starts, revert. This is the point I was trying to make. The goalposts are constantly moving. A great coach is able to react in real time, tell the team what they need to hear...

 

[priceFTW]

Blatt did a masterful job with the rotation. In the first half, we basically played seven guys (2 minutes from Perk, 5 from Delly), but nobody played more than 17 and Bron only 16.

Convincing (I'm assuming since Bron is used to playing the entire first) LeBron to sit in the middle of the first and then bring him back to face the other team's second unit has been genius. LeBron winds up playing fewer minutes and gives Blatt the option play him big minutes in the second half if we need it.

 

[Adam]

I think giving leiso a green light was a master stroke for a few reasons;
1 all the scouting the warriors had done over the last few weeks became moot
2 recognised Lebron wanted to prove a point to the league so turned it into a key cog and gave him a chance to shine.
3 layed the ground work for teams having to plan to double team him in the post. This is key to establishing a further style of play in the playoffs

I like the cavs chances in a 7 game series because blatt can play this squad in 4 very different ways which is key to winning a 7 game series.

They can play their stadard space and drive game
Top of key pick and roll with corners filled with quality shooters
Best iso players in the league
Pinch/low post love and Lebron

 

[aldamon]

Blatt's a rock. In three month's I expect his name to be mentioned with Pop and a few others. We are lucky to have him. Look at Kerr's performance tonight...lot's of emotion (which is okay), but the strategy wasn't there. Blatt is a special dude. Of all the things the Cavs have done, hiring this guy might be number one on the list.

I couldn't agree more.

Also, I lost a lot of respect for Kerr last night. First of all, his on-court demeanor was embarrassing during the game, like you said his strategy was lacking, and when they broadcasted his exchange with Blatt, I thought Kerr's comments to Blatt were a little too condescending for my taste. Even their post-game handshake seemed awkward.

Basically, I came into this game fearing the Warriors match-up and now I have no worries whatsoever. We have the better coach/man on the bench and the best player(s) in the league.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Last night, to me, was a demonstration on how teams take after their coaches on the court. Steve Kerr seems like the type who is very calm and composed when things are going well, but quickly loses his shit when they start to turn south. That would explain why he already has like eight technicals this year. The Warriors seem to follow his lead. They hit their shots and look scary when they're winning, but if you play physical and they stop getting ticky tack foul calls, they crumble.

Meanwhile, Blatt is almost always calm and composed on the sidelines. I think I've seen him blow up at the refs once this entire year. He'll talk to the refs and complain, but he rarely goes nuts. The Cavs have become like him on the court. They don't lose their composure any more when things are going poorly and thus always seem capable of rebounding.

 

[nikolajz1]

Last night, to me, was a demonstration on how teams take after their coaches on the court. Steve Kerr seems like the type who is very calm and composed when things are going well, but quickly loses his shit when they start to turn south. That would explain why he already has like eight technicals this year. The Warriors seem to follow his lead. They hit their shots and look scary when they're winning, but if you play physical and they stop getting ticky tack foul calls, they crumble.

Meanwhile, Blatt is almost always calm and composed on the sidelines. I think I've seen him blow up at the refs once this entire year. He'll talk to the refs and complain, but he rarely goes nuts. The Cavs have become like him on the court. They don't lose their composure any more when things are going poorly and thus always seem capable of rebounding.

This is definitely the reason why I dont see the Warriors winning the West. In a close grind it out series they are gonna falter. They are an incredible team when they are up big and they keep pouring it on but when the slightest adversity hits they just fall apart and become the Clippers with the whining and flopping and bad attitude.

 

[Kizzle]

They don't lose their composure any more when things are going poorly and thus always seem capable of rebounding.

I like how we were officiated early this season. Because we barely react when calls go the other way

 

[MikeOC33]

This is definitely the reason why I dont see the Warriors winning the West. In a close grind it out series they are gonna falter. They are an incredible team when they are up big and they keep pouring it on but when the slightest adversity hits they just fall apart and become the Clippers with the whining and flopping and bad attitude.

Although...

.... they will have home court, which is a big advantage in the playoffs, and they have a ton of weapons obviously... but if Curry and Klay get hot at the same time (which they were clearly not hot last night, + they were guarded well)... but if they get hot at the same time, they are going to be a very very tough out.

I also really liked their ball movement... they are not just a spot up jump shot team. You have to respect Curry and he is an above average passer.

In any case, the playoffs out west should be freakin' amazing battles.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Although...

.... they will have home court, which is a big advantage in the playoffs,

The Warriors have a really good home court crowd too.

Still, I don't think they come out of the West. I saw a team last night that is a little weak mentally. I don't think they'll win a series against a team that gets physical with them and slows the game down.