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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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