David Blatt is a former NBA coach

[wuck]

I'm going to close this thread for a day and reopen it tomorrow. I think it needs a vacation.

 

[Benedict_Boozer]

One thing Blatt has to figure out is finding a way to reduce the minutes for our stars. Kyrie/LBJ/Love are all in the top 5 in MPG in the entire NBA and Kyrie and Lebron are actually #1 and #2.

That's not sustainable IMO.

 

[leo.w]

FYI, in Russia Blatt was named as "The King of endings" - for his high ability to win at the end many of close games. He also did it a lot with Maccabi , including the latest Euroleague 2013-2014 play-off, semi-final and final games.

Few examples:
1. Eurobasket 2007 final game in Madrid (Spain)
Spain-Russia 59:60
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou7fbqxCh_Q


2. Play-offs Euroleague 2013-2014
Milano-Maccabi 99:101
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abEdPkO00h0


3. Final-four Euroleague 2013-2014, semi-final
CSKA-Maccabi 67:68
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjGKd8kTMxk


4. Final-four Euroleague 2013-2014, The final game.
The game was very close, but finally Maccabi won
Real Madrid - Maccabi 86:98
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4wf_9fvgV4

 

[Simmy]

Your David Blatt quote of the day goes to:

Reporter: "In your history of coaching have you ever had an experience where your guys came out and shot like that?"

David Blatt: "Did we make 9 in a row?"

Reporter: "9 in the first quarter and 11 in a row."

David Blatt: "Is that an NBA record?"

Reporter: "Yes."

David Blatt: "Then no, I've never been anywhere where my team has set an NBA record, no. "

Legend.

 

[D10S]

If I'm Blatt, I'm focusing on how players are remembered. Players want to be remembered - but what players are remembered? It seems to me that great teams, and their players, are remembered above all else. Certainly, LeBron is going to be remembered. He's a generational talent. What about Kyrie and Kevin? They are superb, no questions. But how will they be remembered?

Great players on great teams are remembered to a greater degree than great players on average teams. How does history view great players on "generational" teams? This is the question that Kyrie and Kevin must answer. How are contributing players (Bryon, anyone) viewed?

Blatt's challenge is to get the players to buy into the idea that amazing teams lift they players up, in the eyes of history. If he does this, we will see more games like we say this evening.

 

[shoes22]

If I'm Blatt, I'm focusing on how players are remembered. Players want to be remembered - but what players are remembered? It seems to me that great teams, and their players, are remembered above all else. Certainly, LeBron is going to be remembered. He's a generational talent. What about Kyrie and Kevin? They are superb, no questions. But how will they be remembered?

Great players on great teams are remembered to a greater degree than great players on average teams. How does history view great players on "generational" teams? This is the question that Kyrie and Kevin must answer. How are contributing players (Bryon, anyone) viewed?

Blatt's challenge is to get the players to buy into the idea that amazing teams lift they players up, in the eyes of history. If he does this, we will see more games like we say this evening.

This is an interesting point. Most people when they think of Dennis Rodman as a basketball player, they think of his accomplishments as a Chicago Bull, mainly because he was part of such a dominant team with Michael Jordan...even though he spent a longer time with the Pistons and won two championships there too.

Even though Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were all fantastic players individually, they wouldn't be seen as legendary as they are had they not come together to win a championship for the Celtics.

 

[MD13]

Guess here's as good a place to put this factoid as any: After last night, the Cavs are up to #2 in offensive efficiency in the league at 110.7 pts per 100 possessions. Dallas is #1 coming off two insane blowouts against the 76ers and T-Wolves.

 

[czvo]

Guess here's as good a place to put this factoid as any: After last night, the Cavs are up to #2 in offensive efficiency in the league at 110.7 pts per 100 possessions. Dallas is #1 coming off two insane blowouts against the 76ers and T-Wolves.

And they still don't seem to be playing all that well offensively. As crazy as it sounds, they haven't even scratched the surface of what they're capable of on that end. I think they hit it a few times tonight, but they didn't do it consistently. Still a lot of room to grow.

 

[Winnersville]

FYI, in Russia Blatt was named as "The King of endings" - for his high ability to win at the end many of close games. He also did it a lot with Maccabi , including the latest Euroleague 2013-2014 play-off, semi-final and final games.

Few examples:
1. Eurobasket 2007 final game in Madrid (Spain)
Spain-Russia 59:60
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou7fbqxCh_Q


2. Play-offs Euroleague 2013-2014
Milano-Maccabi 99:101
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abEdPkO00h0


3. Final-four Euroleague 2013-2014, semi-final
CSKA-Maccabi 67:68
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjGKd8kTMxk


4. Final-four Euroleague 2013-2014, The final game.
The game was very close, but finally Maccabi won
Real Madrid - Maccabi 86:98
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4wf_9fvgV4

Samardo Samuels balling in number 2

 

[brownsbuck6]

Blatt saying that he tried to warn his team this morning that this could happen.. thought this game was very dangerous. But then took responsibility for not hammering the message home well enough.

This game is so hugely disappointing because of the schedule coming up the next three games. I think Blatt knew that, but was unsuccessful. I really love Blatt, but he has to do better. Particularly on defense.

 

[CSF]

I really love Blatt, but he has to do better. Particularly on defense.

Does he really need to tell Kevin to jump? And why did Dion only get 4 more minutes over Joe Harris?

 

[Kbiz]

Windy's take on Blatt's early season struggles:

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11907175/cleveland-cavaliers-david-blatt-lot-room-grow-nba-coach

My take on Blatt, ten games in:

Pros:

1. Offense has looked pretty good for the most part, considering players are still feeling each other out. When the ball is MOVING it typically leads to an open look. We just have to get our guys knocking them down more consistently.

2. Has shown that he will do what he wants with our lineups, not catering to specific players. While this may cause some immediate friction, if it works it will pay dividends as far as gaining respect from the rest of his players.

3. Adaptability with his rotations. He has sent different lineups out to see how certain players play together. Harris as emerged as a nice rotation player and looks like he will be able to contribute all season. Kid knows how to play winning basketball. If Mike Brown was still our coach, i doubt Harris would've seen much playing time up to this point.

Cons:

1. His rotation minutes are a mess. Irving, Love, and James are playing too much. I understand this team needs to gel a bit better but you shouldn't have a player pointing out how much minutes he has played.

2. Has not found an effective way to get Love involved the ENTIRE game.

3. Our defense still is a mess. When our guys are playing with effort, we look decent defensively. Unfortunately, the effort is only there 50% of the time. We are already showing the ability to play up or down to our opponent.

Curious what everyone else's opinion is? This may seem a bit premature but i have already seen both positive and negative changes in relation to coaching already. Think of this as more of a way of tracking trends. I still have all the faith in the world that Blatt will right this ship. He seems to possess a sound basketball mind. Nice change of pace from MB.

 

[Cavatt]

Windy's take on Blatt's early season struggles:

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11907175/cleveland-cavaliers-david-blatt-lot-room-grow-nba-coach

My take on Blatt, ten games in:

Pros:

1. Offense has looked pretty good for the most part, considering players are still feeling each other out. When the ball is MOVING it typically leads to an open look. We just have to get our guys knocking them down more consistently.

2. Has shown that he will do what he wants with our lineups, not catering to specific players. While this may cause some immediate friction, if it works it will pay dividends as far as gaining respect from the rest of his players.

3. Adaptability with his rotations. He has sent different lineups out to see how certain players play together. Harris as emerged as a nice rotation player and looks like he will be able to contribute all season. Kid knows how to play winning basketball. If Mike Brown was still our coach, i doubt Harris would've seen much playing time up to this point.

Cons:

1. His rotation minutes are a mess. Irving, Love, and James are playing too much. I understand this team needs to gel a bit better but you shouldn't have a player pointing out how much minutes he has played.

2. Has not found an effective way to get Love involved the ENTIRE game.

3. Our defense still is a mess. When our guys are playing with effort, we look decent defensively. Unfortunately, the effort is only there 50% of the time. We are already showing the ability to play up or down to our opponent.

Curious what everyone else's opinion is? This may seem a bit premature but i have already seen both positive and negative changes in relation to coaching already. Think of this as more of a way of tracking trends. I still have all the faith in the world that Blatt will right this ship. He seems to possess a sound basketball mind. Nice change of pace from MB.

I'm not worried. He's not used to the nba and the players aren't used to how he divides minutes. If like him to work a little on getting the bench goin. Losing Delly so early hurt.

The defense sucks still, but showed flashes especially last night. Pretty much agree with Windy 100%

 

[chuck0609]

The best thing he, as well as LBJ and the CAVs as a whole have done, is temper expectations and preach patience.
There's ZERO panic with this team right now, nor do I believe there will be through the all star break and beyond. That in and of itself deserves credit as this big three could easily be devoured by expectations.
Now LBJ learned from his time in Miami, as did the rest of the world that these things take time. But the media as a whole has been patient and that seems to be the ongoing sentiment.

Blatt is learning, and it shows. But the team is playing hard (for the most part). Once he gets a grip on his rotations, Learns hat to do with K Love (biggest issue right now) and the golly gee I'm happy to be here attitude goes away, this team will start to hit its stride.

 

[I-77 NORTH]

I firmly believe this team is struggling because of Blatt. He has no NBA coaching skills. The Euro-league and the NBA arre night and day of difference.

Hope we can get rid of Blatt sooner than things collapse on us.