David Blatt is a former NBA coach

I like Blatt and I like the Amundson adjustment, he brought some energy and played pretty damn well. And I can see some progress with the defense.

But I still have a beef with his rotation and usage of timeouts. I'm sure that will come with time - but he is still late on the trigger to stop momentum runs frm other teams.

And rotation wise, he insists on pairing LBJ + Love together 24/7 and Irving + Waiters with the bench and I don't get why. We could run the offense through Love when LBJ sits (he is a great passer) and I never like the Irving/Waiters pairing with the bench. If anything Irving + Lebron play well off each other so why do the opposite?

Also why play Lebron 12 minute stretches? Especially the entire 3rd quarter because then if the 4th quarter is tight, Blatt panics and overplays Lebron minutes wise.

It's not a HUGE deal but just don't follow his logic with the rotations.

I'm not gonna make a big deal about this, but if we were to gather the top 3 most common complaints about Blatt's rotations and then try and fix them it would be impossible because the complaints conflict with each other so much.

Benedict_Boozer said:

I like Blatt and I like the Amundson adjustment, he brought some energy and played pretty damn well. And I can see some progress with the defense.

But I still have a beef with his rotation and usage of timeouts. I'm sure that will come with time - but he is still late on the trigger to stop momentum runs frm other teams.

And rotation wise, he insists on pairing LBJ + Love together 24/7 and Irving + Waiters with the bench and I don't get why. We could run the offense through Love when LBJ sits (he is a great passer) and I never like the Irving/Waiters pairing with the bench. If anything Irving + Lebron play well off each other so why do the opposite?

Also why play Lebron 12 minute stretches? Especially the entire 3rd quarter because then if the 4th quarter is tight, Blatt panics and overplays Lebron minutes wise.

It's not a HUGE deal but just don't follow his logic with the rotations.

Click to expand...

I think he thought, which turned out to be correct, that if he played LeBron the whole third quarter that he could kill the game off and LeBron wouldn't have to play the fourth.

He let Love play an extra minute with Kyrie to make sure, and then Ky by himself a few more after that, but I think that was the right strategy for tonight.

I'm sure if the game had been close he would have subbed LeBron earlier to have him ready for the fourth.

In the midst of four-game slide, David Blatt never lost his character and a Russian reporter can attest to that

Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt calls a play during the game against the Atlanta Hawks, 4th quarter. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer) Saturday, November 15, 2014. Quicken Loans Arena. (Chuck Crow)
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By Chris Haynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group
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on November 24, 2014 at 11:17 PM, updated November 24, 2014 at 11:38 PM



CLEVELAND, Ohio – David Blatt had reached his lowest point at the time.

It was an embarrassing show put on by his team last week after the Cavaliers had suffered their third straight defeat at the hands of the Washington Wizards.

The ball movement had deteriorated, players were throwing up their hands in frustration and there was minimal effort made to get back in transition or on defense.

The pressure was mounting. All eyes were on this star-studded team that most expected to come out of the Eastern Conference and Blatt had the unfortunate pleasure of addressing his team's struggles.

Following that 91-78 loss to the Wizards, Blatt was as dejected as you'll ever see him. He usually has a way of interjecting a joke somewhere in his press conferences, but not on that night.

There wasn't anything funny about how his team was playing of late. It was the night he acknowledged everything was a concern for him at the moment. His team was spiraling out of control.

Typically on nights like this, teams just want to get out of town quickly and regroup for the next game. Unbeknownst to Blatt, a Russian reporter happened to be attending that game. By the look on the coach's face, he didn't know this reporter.

He continued to encourage us and he stayed even keeled throughout. Nothing changed.
The reporter entered the nation's capital with the intentions of securing some one-on-one time with Blatt for a profile story he was working on.

His request was turned down during pregame as Blatt had a host of other preplanned media obligations. Blatt said, "I'll get you later." It didn't sound assuring, though.

Getting personal interview time with an NBA head coach after a game is not the norm, especially after a heartbreaking loss of this magnitude on this stage.

Blatt concluded his frustrated postgame presser and walked away defeated with his head down. Upon entry into the locker room, he saw the reporter from the side of his eye.

Keep in mind; this was immediately after team's third consecutive loss on national television. Blatt pulled the reporter over, inviting him into the locker room before all the other media were allowed in. He gave the reporter his exclusive interview.

Blatt composed himself and answered every question the reporter had.

Through the turmoil and scrutiny he took from what ended up being a four-game losing skid, he never deserted his character. He remained the same great personable human being.

"He has been pretty consistent," Kevin Love said of his coach after the Cavaliers broke their losing streak on Monday with a 106-74 win over the Orlando Magic.

"He has been the same person," Shawn Marion said. "He continued to encourage us and he stayed even keeled throughout. Nothing changed."

That unbreakable good will nature is exactly what's needed to lead this team. With a roster in flux and inexperienced talent not used to a winning culture, Blatt's steadiness will come in handy.

The emotions of players will go up and down depending on how the results are stacking up. The coach must maintain a level of stability, a calming influence. Blatt has that going for him. He will pick up the other nuances of coaching in the NBA as time goes on.

You can't teach how to respond appropriately under pressure. Blatt showed heart during that low time. It's only a matter time before he's experiencing the high times on a regular basis.

LeBron James often mentions how Karma tends to come back around. What Blatt did for that reporter on Wednesday will come back around. Hopefully it will pay its dividends on the basketball court.

"I'm never too high, never too low but always seeking consistency in effort," Blatt said after Monday night's win.

source:
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/11/in_the_midst_of_four-game_slid.html

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....-struggling-a-bit/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

Veteran NBA coach: ‘I think (Cavaliers head coach David Blatt) is struggling a bit’
Brett Pollakoff


Nov 25, 2014, 11:45 AM EST

9 Comments
Getty Images
The Cavaliers played their best defensive game of the season on Monday, and it resulted in a 106-74 win over the Orlando Magic.

But even after the victory, Cleveland is off to a start of just 6-7 on the young season, and Orlando isn’t even a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

While LeBron James has been right to shoulder plenty of the blame for the team’s early struggles, it’s head coach David Blatt who can expect to come under fire if the underachieving continues. And he’s already catching some heat for the team’s poor performance.

From Howard Beck of Bleacher Report:

“I think Blatt is struggling a bit,” said one veteran NBA coach. “The offense is not very imaginative. Spoelstra did good job of blending guys, creating ways to get guys isolated. I don’t see that right now. They’re going through the motions of an offense that isn’t clicking.”

The coach, who did not want to be named while critiquing a rival, said Blatt’s offense relied on “a lot of European stuff that isn’t going to work” in the NBA. “It’s too simple. I just don’t think he hits the right buttons.

“Their talent is taking over and will win some games,” the coach said. “But going against elite teams, that’s not going to work.”

Blatt has had years of success coaching overseas, but as a first-year NBA coach, a transition period is to be expected. And, jealousy could be a factor here, considering a “veteran NBA coach” would jump at the chance to work in a place that features a team with such a completely stacked roster.

Somewhat ironically, offense hasn’t been a huge issue for these Cavaliers, who are currently tied for ninth in the league in points scored per 100 possessions. But with the talent on the roster, that number should be even higher, and as long as Cleveland performs inconsistently, Blatt will continue to come under fire — even if shots taken by his peers at this point may seem a bit unexpected.

gregdawg said:

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....-struggling-a-bit/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

Veteran NBA coach: ‘I think (Cavaliers head coach David Blatt) is struggling a bit’
Brett Pollakoff


Nov 25, 2014, 11:45 AM EST

9 Comments

Getty Images
The Cavaliers played their best defensive game of the season on Monday, and it resulted in a 106-74 win over the Orlando Magic.

But even after the victory, Cleveland is off to a start of just 6-7 on the young season, and Orlando isn’t even a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

While LeBron James has been right to shoulder plenty of the blame for the team’s early struggles, it’s head coach David Blatt who can expect to come under fire if the underachieving continues. And he’s already catching some heat for the team’s poor performance.

From Howard Beck of Bleacher Report:

“I think Blatt is struggling a bit,” said one veteran NBA coach. “The offense is not very imaginative. Spoelstra did good job of blending guys, creating ways to get guys isolated. I don’t see that right now. They’re going through the motions of an offense that isn’t clicking.”

The coach, who did not want to be named while critiquing a rival, said Blatt’s offense relied on “a lot of European stuff that isn’t going to work” in the NBA. “It’s too simple. I just don’t think he hits the right buttons.

“Their talent is taking over and will win some games,” the coach said. “But going against elite teams, that’s not going to work.”

Blatt has had years of success coaching overseas, but as a first-year NBA coach, a transition period is to be expected. And, jealousy could be a factor here, considering a “veteran NBA coach” would jump at the chance to work in a place that features a team with such a completely stacked roster.

Somewhat ironically, offense hasn’t been a huge issue for these Cavaliers, who are currently tied for ninth in the league in points scored per 100 possessions. But with the talent on the roster, that number should be even higher, and as long as Cleveland performs inconsistently, Blatt will continue to come under fire — even if shots taken by his peers at this point may seem a bit unexpected.

Click to expand...

Sounds like George Karl wants a job

gregdawg said:

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....-struggling-a-bit/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

Veteran NBA coach: ‘I think (Cavaliers head coach David Blatt) is struggling a bit’
Brett Pollakoff


Nov 25, 2014, 11:45 AM EST

9 Comments

Getty Images
The Cavaliers played their best defensive game of the season on Monday, and it resulted in a 106-74 win over the Orlando Magic.

But even after the victory, Cleveland is off to a start of just 6-7 on the young season, and Orlando isn’t even a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

While LeBron James has been right to shoulder plenty of the blame for the team’s early struggles, it’s head coach David Blatt who can expect to come under fire if the underachieving continues. And he’s already catching some heat for the team’s poor performance.

From Howard Beck of Bleacher Report:

“I think Blatt is struggling a bit,” said one veteran NBA coach. “The offense is not very imaginative. Spoelstra did good job of blending guys, creating ways to get guys isolated. I don’t see that right now. They’re going through the motions of an offense that isn’t clicking.”

The coach, who did not want to be named while critiquing a rival, said Blatt’s offense relied on “a lot of European stuff that isn’t going to work” in the NBA. “It’s too simple. I just don’t think he hits the right buttons.

“Their talent is taking over and will win some games,” the coach said. “But going against elite teams, that’s not going to work.”

Blatt has had years of success coaching overseas, but as a first-year NBA coach, a transition period is to be expected. And, jealousy could be a factor here, considering a “veteran NBA coach” would jump at the chance to work in a place that features a team with such a completely stacked roster.

Somewhat ironically, offense hasn’t been a huge issue for these Cavaliers, who are currently tied for ninth in the league in points scored per 100 possessions. But with the talent on the roster, that number should be even higher, and as long as Cleveland performs inconsistently, Blatt will continue to come under fire — even if shots taken by his peers at this point may seem a bit unexpected.

Click to expand...

I think I counted 9 cliches said by the coach.

It does bring up an issue though i wanted to mention for a while. Obviously a system that is said to be "borderline genius" and "mentally challenging" is not simple, quite the opposite. Maybe it is too complicated. That can be the root for all the spacing issues, reverting back to iso, overpassing etc. Sometimes it looks great, other times bad. The key is confusion. Its really confusing. So to calm the average NBA fan it would awesome to just implement pnr's and basic sequences that would undoubtedly work.

I for one am 100% confident (and interviews like the one before last just assure me more) that nobody on the Cavs is concerned about calming the average NBA fan or fresh july 2014 joins. They want to go for the max possible at that will take time, from everyone involved.

Would you settle for something that will work ok right away, or be patient and try for the max?

p.s. I think Blatt's problem with the team is solely effort. Solely.

i think at the moment, they would go for what works right away. they need confidence and wins sooner than possible.

Jason Lloyd was just on the Fan and basically said he has heard this from other coaches and assistant coaches, the dislike for Blatt...

bushwick_bill said:

Jason Lloyd was just on the Fan and basically said he has heard this from other coaches and assistant coaches, the dislike for Blatt...

Click to expand...

Can you elaborate or explain what you mean?

bushwick_bill said:

Jason Lloyd was just on the Fan and basically said he has heard this from other coaches and assistant coaches, the dislike for Blatt...

Click to expand...

I didn't hear the convo, but they probably look at him as an outsider. The NBA fraternity of coaches is fiercely loyal and would no doubt be wary and perhaps jealous of a guy coming in from Europe to coach Lebron and what should be a title contender. NBA coaches and former NBA coaches not named Jason Kidd pretty much always defend other coaches and look out for each other, and I would bet money that some are upset that their NBA guy didn't get the Cavs job over this "foreigner".

I am way more worried that NBA players can't execute the offense. Not that the offense won't work.

I'm not worried about Blatt at all. You can tell how smart he is by listening to him talk and that he has a firm grasp on the big picture.

One small example - after the Atlanta win, a reporter asked him if he thought we turned the corner tonight. He responded "I don't think we're even at the corner yet".

Watching the orlando win it seems to be emerging that we are a defense first team. By that i mean the only way we give consistent effort is if we get stops and run a bit. Once that starts happening players seem to buy in and run more sets, play harder defensively not hang their head (minus dion) it just seems odd that such a poor defensive team would end up with defense being its catalyst