David Blatt FIRED!

[NovU]

I don't deny that. The new big 3's chemistry leaves a lot to be desired. But Love is secondary issue, it's actually LBJ that's worse and hasn't performed to his par. Last year's LBJ was the worst since his rookie year. This year, he's only slightly better. At least his numbers say so.

Also when you look at what Melo and KP have done in taking strides for the future I have to question the "win now" formula as they haven't won jack yet.

Well, the Cavs got to the Finals if that's anything. But I guess it's all Blatt.




Considering where Wiggins is now as a player, he would have been a shitty burden to carry, practically leading to a massive headache. The minute he played for Cavs, his value would have dropped vastly and there probably would have been means to develop him in anyway possible which means hurting the team that's trying to win.

[air gordon]

Didn't blatt get hired before James was acquired?? Cards were stacked against him from the start

I remember some people here mentioning blatt's offensive and defensive sets were going to be good/mask any deficiencies. Same ones now saying he wasn't qualified. LOL

These reports of James and his camp are nauseating....

I'm curious to see what "other big things" are to come. Cavs are in lux tax territory

[I Hate Mondays]

I believe Blatt was a strong factor which made the Mozgov trade possible, given the fact that they worked togheter before in Europe. At the start of the season Mozgov started playing a little bit worse, he lost his starting spot, LBJ was seen a couple of times taking it out on the big man after he made some bad decisions in game. With Blatt gone, who is going to to defend Mozgov and recall the days he was a beast in the Russian League ? I think Mozgov is leaving Ohio after the allstar break.

[NovU]

I actually remember reading contradicting story as I was browsing roto. lol, here it wasn't hard to dig up as it's not too long ago.

LeBron James said he is doing his best to help Timofey Mozgov through his struggles.
"I'm not sure where he's mentally," James said. "Only he knows that. As a leader of the team, you just give him as much positive energy, give him as much positive notion about what he needs to do for our team." Mozgov was benched against the 76ers on Sunday for taking an ill-advised shot, and you could tell that the Cavs were visibly frustrated with him. He played just nine total minutes, and it's clear that his role on this team is in jeopardy if he doesn't turn things around.

It's all perspective.





Imho real question people should be throwing around is "Did Blatt deserve LBJ's blessing?" People are taking it for granted that Blatt was all righteous and gr(H)eat, and LBJ outrageously played a bystander in Blatt's departure. Bullshit. Best player in the world has been struggling for 2 seasons in a row without no signs of foreseeable turnaround. Then your second best player is also playing subpar even to this day. Add Mozgov as a cherry on top, I'd actually fire anything anyone including gordie sauru benjo and you too. Blatt might have gotten a free pass from media as stones were thrown in different direction but he's also responsible for these very obvious Cavs problems and replacing him is a very low risk experiment for the Cavs.

[Corymach7]

OMG. What a crybaby LeBron is. The GM is letting him call the shots and not the coach? Come on!

[Kevin]

No worries. He'll be promoted to player/coach/gm anytime soon to complete your fantasy.

[Andrew]

Not the debut that Lue wanted I'm sure, but I'm not exactly disappointed with the result.

[NovU]

I think management has a short leash on Lue. Things can crumble rather quickly than initially expected. And media's already talking about potential Love trade. lol

The Raptors are behind 2.5 games now for the top spot in East. It'll be crazy when the Cavs lose the top spot. Imagine fun things that could happen, mega trades, firing entire coaching staff, LBJ threatening to leave, etc etc.

[Andrew]

That could feasibly happen as soon as this offseason, as LeBron does have an opt-out clause. That's obviously there to give him flexibility to negotiate an even bigger contract, but I do wonder if he would actually threaten to leave...or indeed, go through with such a threat.

[mp3]

OMG. What a crybaby LeBron is. The GM is letting him call the shots and not the coach? Come on!

Iam surprised you didn't call this one "Blatt to be fired replaced by LeBron James"

LeBron's camp apparently wanted mark Jackson hired a long time ago.

I know LeBron is a HOF player but I just don't like the way he goes about things like he's the gm or even the team owner at times.

Interesting point but who will coach the East allstar team if the Cavs stay in the top spot?

[Jeffx]

OMG. What a crybaby LeBron is. The GM is letting him call the shots and not the coach? Come on!

Iam surprised you didn't call this one "Blatt to be fired replaced by LeBron James"

LeBron's camp apparently wanted mark Jackson hired a long time ago.

I know LeBron is a HOF player but I just don't like the way he goes about things like he's the gm or even the team owner at times.

Interesting point but who will coach the East allstar team if the Cavs stay in the top spot?

It's nothing new - Magic Johnson/Paul Westhead, the entire Celtic team/Bill Fitch, Patrick Ewing/Don Nelson, and didn't Jordan have issues with Doug Collins?

If the superstars don't respect the coach and buy into his program, coach is finished.

[mp3]

It's not just the coaching push outs it's the whole roster control, I just think he has to much power in general

[air gordon]

I think the Cavs overestimated the impact that Love would have at the time. I remember thinking it was crazy to trade Wiggins without him even playing a game to see how he would fit in. Either way, Bennett would've probably still sucked so they'd still have problems finding a decent big man

Interesting read by Woj on the firing: Lebron leaves Miami for Cleveland where he knows he will have control over the franchise (something Riley would never allow). Mark Jackson sold out to James's agency to be his pick for coach. Cavs refuse to hire Jackson knowing all of the baggage he comes with. James continues to undermine Blatt behind the scenes. Blatt gets fired and Lue gets hired as a compromise.

I know LeBron is a HOF player but I just don't like the way he goes about things like he's the gm or even the team owner at times.

this new generation of nba superstar sucks. (is windhurst on lebron's payroll?)

jordan did have issues with collins. had to be sold on Jackson too. didn't go to these lengths.

Lue didn't officially coach a game yet and he got a 3yr contract. LOL. it will be good theater to see how it plays outs.. it's possible Cleveland will pay 2 coaches to go away. some "experts" think james best position is at PF, same as Love.

GSW or some other Eastern conf team in playoff contention should hire Blatt as an assistant

[NovU]

some "experts" think james best position is at PF, same as Love.

I thought about that too but figured it's tough to say their struggle is entirely James needing to be a PF because pre-Heat LBJ played mostly with two bigs namely Varejao, Ilguaskas, Wallace, O'neal, Hickson, Antawn and perhaps couple other reputable bigs. And they were still very successful.




Firing was an preemptive measure taken by Cavs management before shit gets uglier because Blatt wasn't gonna offer no fix to the current issue. LBJ's regression from MIA to CLE is their biggest concern. Love's being talked the most because people think it's his distracting presence and vice versa.

[air gordon]

have to consider Ilgauskas was useful and sideshow was ballin' back then. also the style of game is a bit different from that "era".

what is up with Varaejo? he could slide to center in small ball since he can switch to the 5 and play the pick and roll defense.. something Love has shown he cannot do and opponents are ready to put him in those situations.

love is an easy target because of this and the perception of him being under-utilized. it is legit to question what his fit is on this team. cleveland treats like him like he was just some stats whore while he was at Minny.

the midseason trade from last year worked wonders for the team. maybe shumpert is the key lol. guy went bonkers during their run through the EAST in the playoffs.

top record in the east despite key players missing games and james having a down year. head coach still gets fired!? is it possible this cleveland team is just as dysfunctional as the bulls?

[NovU]

Seems like nearly all Eastern contenders are being dysfunctional in exception of Lowry's Raptors. Hawks' Korver has let down, the Heat suffers usual injury issues. Current weird looking standings make the Cavs all the more discontent because they haven't yet to separate themselves from these pack of losers and join red hot Warriors and Spurs. And the Thunder have been starting to click. The Cavaliers are looking like a distant fourth best team in the mix of Raptors and Clippers.

Yep, Love's fitment is definitely a legit question. He's practically a Bosh though for the Cavs, a third wheel. Problem is that he is worse than Bosh since he lacks versatility to play 5 and D. But one advantage is that they don't suffer from Heat's rebounding problem that came with Bosh/LBJ froncourt. Irving on the other hand is very overrated and is a ball hogger. Best of Irving does not even equate to worst of Wade in Heat's LBJ era. So this actually is a collection of 3 part problem, regressed LBJ, Love's fitment, Irving's overrated-ness.

This LBJ's Heat talk is interesting because the Cavs are similarly built. They are supposed to dominate their match ups at 3 key positions. Guys like JR, Shump, Delly, Tristan are virtually Chalmers, Andersen, Miller, Battier. They will only go so far as Big 3 takes them. The Cavs are desperately trying to get their trio to click.

[mp3]

There is a lot of talk that the Cavs will move Kevin Love before the deadline, if that is true and depending on what the Cavs could get in return for Love that trade for Wiggins looks worst every day.

The Cavs lost there first game under coach Lue too and it appears that it will be Lue and Kerr coaching the allstar both will hardly of coached to get there.

[air gordon]

Lue and Kerr coaching the all star game. awesome. does lue still use the booster chair on a game that's televised worldwide??

haha, novu. just couldn't resist the heat-cavs comparison.

Cavs should have just fired Blatt after the finals last year or even n the East semi's when james told blatt his play sucks and draw up the plan for him. in all seriousness, it seems the problem already started once james got to cleveland.

addressing the situation then would have given the team more time to "fix" the problem. Those cavs players must be embarrassed after hearing their new coach say they are out of shape.

[Corymach7]

OMG. What a crybaby LeBron is. The GM is letting him call the shots and not the coach? Come on!

I Am surprised you didn't call this one "Blatt to be fired replaced by LeBron James." LeBron's camp apparently wanted mark Jackson hired a long time ago. I know LeBron is a HOF player but I just don't like the way he goes about things like he's the gm or even the team owner at times. Interesting point but who will coach the East allstar team if the Cavs stay in the top spot?

It's nothing new - Magic Johnson/Paul Westhead, the entire Celtic team/Bill Fitch, Patrick Ewing/Don Nelson, and didn't Jordan have issues with Doug Collins? If the superstars don't respect the coach and buy into his program, coach is finished.

You said it. Magic Johnson against Paul Westhead, Boston against Bill Fitch, Michael Jordan against Doug Collins, Patrick Ewing against Don Nelson, and didn't Charles Barkley have issues with Paul Westphal? Also, I'm not sure if Kobe Bryant had issues with Rudy Tomjanovich or not. Did Shaquille O'Neal have issues with Del Harris and in Miami, Stan Van Gundy? Not sure if Sidney Moncrief had issues with Don Nelson like Patrick Ewing did. What about Wilt Chamberlain? Didn't he have issues with Butch Van Breda Kloff and Joe Mullaney?

It all started when Bill Russell retired, if you're not respected by a superstar player or the superstar player won't buy into your program, as a coach, you're done with that team.