Sources: Tensions Rising Between David Blatt and Cleveland Cavaliers

[Big Bid'Ness]

 
David Blatt Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Cavs Head Coach

 


From the moment LeBron James returned to Cleveland and brought Kevin Love along for the ride, the clock was ticking on first-year coach David Blatt to make the Cavaliers a championship contender. A disappointing 18-12 stretch later, and there is increasing chatter about the Cavaliers making a coaching change.  
 
ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein reported Monday that there is concern within the organization that Blatt is not reaching players. In particular, there is concern about Blatt's ability to coax maximum effort out of his players, which has been an issue on both ends of the floor all season.
Reports of internal discord should not come as a surprise given their timing. The Cavaliers dropped to 18-12 on Sunday with an embarrassing 103-80 home loss to the lowly Detroit Pistons. Cleveland shot just 37.8 percent from the field and allowed Detroit to make 17 three-pointers, continuing a trend of porous perimeter defense that's been a consistent source of frustration.
 
After Sunday's loss, the Cavaliers rank 23rd in defensive efficiency. There were inherent concerns about Cleveland's ability to defend coming into the season, but those have been exacerbated by lax effort and injuries. James has regressed into a defensive minus, Kyrie Irving and Love have never been solid defenders and Cleveland just lost its best rim protector, Anderson Varejao, to an Achilles injury. 
 
"We're not a very good team," James told reporters Sunday. "As far as on the court, we're still trying to find our way as well. We've won some good games, we've lost some games. But right now, we're just not very good in every aspect of the game that we need to be to compete every night."
Blatt responded to claims he's lost the locker room on Monday, per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin:
 
Dave McMenamin         @mcten Follow

LeBron James when asked if David Blatt is the "right" coach for the Cavs: "Yeah, I mean, he’s our coach, what other coach do we have?"
2:35 PM - 29 Dec 2014

David McMenamin         @mcten

LeBron James' full response when told an endorsement of coach David Blatt would carry a lot of weight:

 
Regardless of the veracity of the reports, the Cavaliers don't have much time for a turnaround. They're currently the Eastern Conference's No. 5 seed and quickly losing ground to Atlanta and Toronto atop the standings. With Love and James both potentially hitting the free-agent market this summer, Cleveland is running on an expedited timetable. 

 
Because of that, Blatt may wind up being the scapegoat.

 

[elcheato]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Cavs front office is disappointed in Blatt thus far, because the Cavs have underachieved, but Windhorst has been riding this train of railing against Blatt since LeBron came back. 

 

[BwareDWare94]

I actually like the way Blatt coaches, based on the few games I've seen. He doesn't seem to shrink in front of his superstars. He'll get it right. Cleveland will get it right. 18 and 12 is a 4 game winning streak away from being double digit games over .500. People need to relax. 

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Yea, I say give the guy more than 30 games before we start with the pitchforks. 

 

[Sportsguy9695]

the cavs have under performed so far this year obviously. but the expect ions went through the roof with james and love coming to town

 

[RipCity32]

Guess this will happen when the Pistons blow you out