OT- Cleveland Cavaliers Fire David Blatt

Submitted by 615Wolverine on
Title says it all, with the playoffs right around the corner this is very shocking. They have already agreed to terms with assistant coach Tyron Lue on a multi year deal to replace him. IMO he was never the right hire but this will be an interesting end to the regular season. https://twitter.com/wojverticalnba/status/690638214307168256
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1464

January 22nd, 2016 at 4:30 PM ^

I think that Lebron suffers from the same disease that afflicts other super-athletes.  They think that because they are very good athletes, that it also means they are very good at other things.  Jordan, Dumars, Zeke.  Just a few that have fallen into that trap.  And also Shaq Attaq. All good examples of people who think that they are better at things than they really are.

Joined: 06/21/2010

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icactus

January 22nd, 2016 at 5:08 PM ^

Someone had to do it. If Lebron had a coach he respected he wouldn't have to waste energy on it. Even Jordan and Jackson clashed on play calling authority but there was always respect. You didn't have that with Blatt. Blatt's utilization of Love has been horrible. He doesn't know how to manage great players - he prefers scheme. He's like the worst of RR and Hoke combined.

Joined: 06/30/2010

MGoPoints: 2062

mGrowOld

January 23rd, 2016 at 8:42 AM ^

I followed this story from when it broke through the night and basically the discussion can be broken into two camps.  The national media and other coaches, who basically look at the record and say this MUST be Lebron's doing because how could you fire a coach with a record that good?  And the local media who are much closer to the team who say this was a LONG time coming and candidly overdue.

Inside the organization Blatt had one friend (and it was a good one) in Dan Gilbert.  NOBODY else liked or respected the guy one bit.  Story after story are coming out now about him freezing up when trying to draw an end-game play, designing plays for players not even in the game and conducting ridiculous film sessions in which he was terrified to confront any of the big three.  In short the man was WAY WAY over his head and it showed.

I was at the Golden State game this past Monday.  Some have speculated that the team might've tanked the game to get him fired but I just read something interesting that proboably explains what happened better.  The team on Monday decided to do exactly what Blatt instructed to the letter.  Exactly to the letter.  And without the benefit of players like Lebron who know what to do and would overrule his incompentency, on that night they didnt.  And when they did he was brutally and totally exposed.

Joined: 10/04/2010

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rainingmaize

January 22nd, 2016 at 5:08 PM ^

Dumars built a team that won an NBA title, and made 6 straight Eastern Conference finals without the benefit of a super star. Yes, he fizzled out at the end of his time with the Pistons, but to not call him successful and lump him into the same category as Jordan and Thomas is completely asinine.

Joined: 04/13/2010

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Big Boutros

January 22nd, 2016 at 4:43 PM ^

I don't think this meme is quite right anymore. The West still has two outrageous juggernauts in GSW and SA but the East is pretty balanced.

Many times in recent years we have shaken our heads that the 8-seed in the East has a losing record. Not so this year -- even the 9th seed Knicks are .500. Meanwhile the 19-23 Kings are in the playoffs as of today in the West.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 23338

BursleyBaitsBus

January 22nd, 2016 at 4:26 PM ^

Blatt was supposed to coach a fledgling Cleveland with Andrew Wiggins, not Lebron's mash up of a team.  

 

I hope he gets another shot somewhere else to really show his philosophy that was pretty much vetoed in Cleveland after Lebron got there. 

 

Good luck to Tyronn Lue! You are now going to be the new punching bag for everythig that goes wrong in Cleveland. 

 

Joined: 01/20/2016

MGoPoints: 12434

Mr. Yost

January 22nd, 2016 at 6:56 PM ^

Finally someone who gets it...

Stop blaming LeBron because it's the "in" thing to do. Why am I defending him? Yuck, I don't even like him.

Blatt was hired as almost a lame duck coach to teach a rebuilding team. He was the guy you hire until you get things where you want and then you fire him and go get a veteran coach to take you to the next level - because no vet coach wants to be part of a rebuilding process.

Turns out he got LeBron and everything changed. Guarantee if they had this team they would've hired a veteran coach with NBA experience or an assistant coach who was an vet in the NBA (like Lue).

It's a weird move, but I do kind of get it and I don't see it as LeBron's move.

I see it as LeBron, Irving, Smith, Shumpert, Jefferson, and every player they have who's not on a rookie contract's move. Because why would ANY of those guys want to play for Blatt?

Blatt should be coaching the 76ers. And I mean that with the utmost respect. A coach to teach and fly under the radar. Hopefully their "PLAN" works for them and they can fire their Blatt and hire a vet coach, but that was the plan in Cleveland.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Lie-Cheat-Steal

January 22nd, 2016 at 4:36 PM ^

without the backing of a proven winning GM/Coach (Pat Riley).  Spoelstra took the Heat to the finals their first year where they lost to Dallas, then led them to the best record in the East and an NBA title the following year.  If not for Riley supporting Spoelstra, Lebron and cronies would have pushed him out as well. 

While Cleveland doesn't look great or on the level of San Antonio or Golden State, a lot can happen over the rest of the year, especialy with Kyrie just getting back into form.  This is another Lebron power play and why he won't win as many championships as a player of his caliber should.

Jordan, Kobe, Shaq accepted the leadership of Jackson.

Magic and Kareem accepted the leadership of Riley.

Duncan and San Antonio...Obviously Popovich is steering that ship.

Lebron wants to be player, coach and GM...and ultimately it will be his undoing.  Maverick Carter and his possee are a clown show.

Joined: 10/14/2015

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icactus

January 22nd, 2016 at 5:03 PM ^

exactly. Lebron was having to waste energy coaching on the side because Blatt was in over his head. Championship teams need championship calabre coaches. Steve Kerr was not a battle tested coach but it worked out and he's done amazing and his team loves him. He's like a younger Harbaugh. Blatt is not a Harbaugh. Harbaugh's win championships. QED. Harbaugh.

Joined: 06/30/2010

MGoPoints: 2062

BursleysFinest

January 22nd, 2016 at 5:22 PM ^

Honest question, where does the "Blatt can't coach" sentiment come from?

1st season, down Kevin Love in the playoffs, he takes the team to the Finals and loses in 6 to a team that could have the best regular season ever this year

2nd season, the Cavs are clearly the East's best squad, even dealing with Kyrie Irving being out most of the year. So if anything, they're going to get better.  Yeah, you have Lebron, but what else was Blatt supposed to accomplish by now?

Joined: 08/24/2011

MGoPoints: 6408

icactus

January 22nd, 2016 at 5:51 PM ^

ive never attended a practice but he sure doesnt seem to have the respect of the players with all that went on last season and talk then about his abilities. clearly that swntiment was shared behind the scenes. But his lack of utilizing love made me question his ability at the highest level. it just looks like love is an after thought unless lebron choses to get him going himself.

Joined: 06/30/2010

MGoPoints: 2062

Trader Jack

January 22nd, 2016 at 5:05 PM ^

The timing of this makes no sense. I don't necessarily think Blatt has been great, but what more did they expect out of this team? They're exactly where their talent level dictates they should be: best in the East, worst than the best teams in the West. Is Tyron Lue really gonna change any of that?



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