An interview with David Blatt from today (sorry for the translation)
http://nba.sport5.co.il/HTML/Articles/Article.403.171511.html
Blatt: To coach Lebron is a dream. I have a huge drive to win a ring
The first Israeli coach in the NBA team ....: "I'll stay the same person, I don't have an ego problem, the work with Maccabi prepared me for everything." ...he does his homework and aim as high as possible. One on one with Cleveland Cavaliers new coach.
While all eyes are turned towards the games in Brazil, in the Holy Land, there was a great history, one still hard to digest. David Blatt who took a treble last season with Maccabi Tel Aviv ,will be the head coach of Cleveland Cavaliers from the NBA for the next 3 years . He became the first Israeli coach to march on the lines of the best basketball league in the world. Blatt paused preparations and excitement , to talk about his feelings at the beginning of the journey.
You get already used to the title of "David Blatt, Cleveland Cavaliers coach"?
"Not yet but I'll get used. This is not a degree but a nickname there, still not a degree."
Something from this had been digested and seep into you?
"Yes, I went through days are busy and full preparations, announcements, interviews, compliments and inquiries., And at the end of it seeped, it enters into the body, I realized where I was. But I must say I have not done anything to me to "say i did it." I don't feel I've done anything yet, but it is clear that there is a historic step I'm moving train in the NBA. I am one of the people, I am an Israeli, and it is very significant to people here. well as a European, as he trained for many years in Europe, I represent European basketball., but need to be successful and that's what important. "
Professionally, you (plural) already decided who you want in the draft?
"We have not decided yet who we want to be drafted. Two days is a lot, there are talks, options trades. You would be surprised what offers we get for trades. Going to be a madhouse in the next days. We sat down and planned our direction to the draft and the free market that opens 1.7, the system here is completely different. "
How does it work?
"The first year everything is new, and General Manager, Dave Griffin is new and we have a great chemistry on the basketball we want to play and who we want to play for the club. Trades and the draft is all the responsibility of Dave Griffin."
Lebron, is it possible?
"Maybe in our wildest dreams , but I think outside Lebron puts pressure on Pat Riley and the Miami to build a stronger team and allocate resources for this. He is doing 'Power Play' with Riley., I don't believe he will leave, but you never know. I don't know a player I would prefer over Lebron James ".
Some players are difficult to bring because they don't know you?
"Could be. Every player has his own opinion . Talks with my players in Cleveland and according to the phones that I have received from NBA, the fact that I got there was not accepted in a negative way, but the opposite. I will not try to be someone else, but I am. I'll stay the same David Blatt" .
It was told that you are a bit similar to a young Gregg Popovich?
"I'm not that young, but it's flattering. He is number one in the league,a role model and example. Basketball should look like San Antonio.He Is a teacher, he teaches players, he shows the way to all the basketball world.For example, Maccabi was not the most talented but we played the best basketball that's what got the achievement. I love his honesty and the way he achievements while maintaining his truth. "
On going crazy on the lines said:
"I'm not going crazy too much. It happens, there was lots of workload and seconds you go maybe a little out of hand. But I know that the NBA is a different .
"I've changed my attitude toward the judges, I realized it's business all together and have to respect that this collaboration and critical game. It's not every judge is sacred, but each understands his role., I have to learn the rules that are slightly different from ours, and I must master the material., I must learn to operate in a completely different from what I was before. Quantity games, the amount of flights, congestion games, we have a lack of training, and have a physical intensity versus what was until now.This are the most critical things. "
Work with the players
"I coached a lot of NBA players, and I have not had an ego problem with anyone. It's not that different from Europe, everyone has an ego. Trainer needs to know to contain and work with the ego, not only to instruct but to get to know people."
You have Kyrie Irving in the team
"We talked yesterday and i have someone i can trust on, and who to work with."
Have you changed anything and learned to release more, giving you the freedom to players and less freak - Control
"I do not know if I changed, but I deal differently with each team i have. Tyrese Rice was not sharp at the beginning, he had no confidence within the system, but he justified the freedom that I gave him, once he got the confidence."
The feeling was, especially at the beginning of the year that you didn't enjoy it in Maccabi?
"This month has not changed my life. I enjoyed the process, even if I do not show on the outside and if sometimes I suffer from the process, but it is part of the process. It is part of a sequence of cases and circumstances that all season. Whether going as good as I could look as good, But I've never felt that I have too much or too sad to lead the team. retrospect, this was the most exciting season for me precisely because of these difficulties. knew to be patient, it requires energy, sometimes there is a look of anger or displeasure but I really enjoyed season. "
You feel you've made mistakes in the conduct and management of your way in front of Maccabi during the season?
"I do not know what you mean. The noise this year I neutralized completely, I did not notice anything the media released. Never heard anything from management. World does not revolve around the media and that's the difference between me of you in the media. Did not hurt and offended that I did not notice anything and it did not interest me ".
You got Tyrone Lue as an assistant who initially was running for the head coach job?
"He worked for Celtics and now with the Clippers under Doc Rivers. He didn't take a step backwards, but a step forward because I saw in him a partner for what we want to achieve and i got the support. We discussed already long talks about basketball, systems training, relationship between staff and the team players on offense and defense methods and the like. brought a wonderful person in along with those who remained. "
You watch the NBA despite the schedule, what has changed in this league?
"Every night I don't go to sleep because of this. Game advances towards the European game. Fewer natural centers, more movement ,more team play style. During the four years Miami has reached four finals, they took two championships, so the stars still has huge significance. I rather prefer the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball, not Miami or San Antonio. "
NBA ring, is it a dream?
"It's a drive and the ultimate goal . This is in the head, but step by step, little by little. Primarily goal is to reach the playoffs, but a person needs ambitions and always fighting for the top."
Cleveland with a 31 percent success rate. These shoes are not bad to get into them.
"Working with Maccabi took me and prepared me for almost every scenario of pressure and expectations, and here's another whole country. I have the strength of mind."
How is it, after Israel to live in the U.S.?
"I was in Russia at minus 30, so I believe that Ohio will be fine. Family won't come this year, and it's not the first time I felt it in Italy, Turkey and Russia.It's not easy, but we will live with it"
