David Blatt is a former NBA coach

[Snarly]

View: https://twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ/status/554517137650642944

Blatt like or hate him won't be here next year. Unless LeBron comes back and we run a 20 game win streak.

 

[redscoon]

I didn't get the impression from watching the presser live that Blatt was taking a shot at Love. I think it was a smart ass retort to try and deflect a question he didn't want to answer. That being said, the last thing Blatt needs is to add off court distractions into the equation when he already has a disaster unfolding on the court.

Don't give the Cavs any more excuses to fire you.

 

[Sebastian]

Oh, Goddammit.

 

[bobcat22]

Guys, I think this is truly a case of the Cavs, including Blatt, not believing this team can win games without LeBron. After every loss Blatt says he's not making excuses and then blames injuries. He is happy after the 18 point loss to Golden State because they fought for 43 minutes. Kyrie and Love feel like they are just treading water and happier days will be here soon. None of them are focusing on winning. They have the mindset of "Just wait until Bron gets back." That's where I think the uninspired play comes from.

 

[The Red Viper]

I saw it too and agree, he was just trying to deflect the question.

Love is on a max-contract though.

 

[deadddilly]

The notion that Blatt is some basketball genius that the players aren't listening to is a little strange. He reminds me of a high-school coach. Those comments he made tonight combined with his 1-9 disaster might have just boned him.

 

[Taiter]

Guys, I think this is truly a case of the Cavs, including Blatt, not believing this team can win games without LeBron. After every loss Blatt says he's not making excuses and then blames injuries. He is happy after the 18 point loss to Golden State because they fought for 43 minutes. Kyrie and Love feel like they are just treading water and happier days will be here soon. None of them are focusing on winning. They have the mindset of "Just wait until Bron gets back." That's where I think the uninspired play comes from.

There is something to this comment. These guys just don't know how to win on their own.

Red Viper, BobLaw is right, he was trying to deflect the question altogether and said something he didn't intend. As others have said, he's still going to have to address this one as the media will run with it, especially with things going this bad.

 

[JSS2306]

Blatt's comment is the most Cleveland thing to have happened since Johnny's club incident.

Somebody pinch me this can't be happening. You don't talk about player's finances for any reason. Ever. The question didn't even have anything to do with specifics of Love's contract. It was more rhetorical than anything.

This isn't going to be pretty.

 

[gratefuldead]

nobody respects the euro coach

you need a strong personality to control this team, someone the players relate to

as much as i think mark jackson's offense sucks, he's a badass and highly respected, especially by lebron

 

[wuck]

After every loss Blatt says he's not making excuses and then blames injuries.

The players have followed suit, voicing the same thing almost verbatim.

I'm not saying they're not right, but the constant waiting for things to get better is part of what has got them into a tailspin. They all have to be reminded that it's rare for a team ever to be fully healthy. They keep pushing the goalposts. Again, not saying they shouldn't have lost a bunch of these games, but some games were within their reach. I can't remember the last time they overachieved.

 

[killerkev369]

nobody respects the euro coach

you need a strong personality to control this team, someone the players relate to

as much as i think mark jackson's offense sucks, he's a badass and highly respected, especially by lebron

Mark Jackson is a badass? I thought Blatt was the badass? The guy that swore at his players in timeouts and yanked players out of game just because he didn't like how they were acting?

 

[The Red Viper]

Injuries is an excuse for not winning games. But it can't be an excuse for not giving enough effort. Philly have been rubbish the whole season but watch them play and see how hard they try. Their hustle and effort is remarkable. Its the lack of talent which is hurting. With this team, its the exact opposite. The talent is there. But there is no effort or heart. The way these guys are playing, its as if they have achieved everything in their career like a LeBron, Duncan, Kobe etc. But look at the work ethic of those three guys still now. The hunger they still have. I had repeatedly said how much I like Kyrie and Love but its about time they as well as the rest of the team and Blatt are held accountable and criticized from all corners. I don't know whether its a coaching issue or the players' issue or combination of both but the team needs to take a hard look at themselves. You can't just hope LeBron to come back and change fortunes for you. They need to play hard and well, first and foremost.

 

[killerkev369]

Having an underperforming core plus wasting three, maybe even four roster spots on borderline NBA talent usually isn't a good combination.

 

[redscoon]

Love is on a max-contract though

Not sure if he confused the financials of his contract with his impending free agency and that is what he meant by not being max. As in Kyrie has signed a max extension with us and Love hasn't.

Either way, he shouldn't have said what he did. When your team is looking awful and failing to meet expectations, you better be prepared to answer tough questions without losing composure.

And I totally agree on the injury issue. He brings up the missing players constantly. It is a bad approach. I always remember Thibs saying we have enough to win even when they were devastated by injuries. Take a page out of his book.

 

[Futuredome]

Blatt meant he wasn't a max player yet was definitely a shot at Kevin. Just the way he said it was enough for me.