Sports

Cavs Coach Blatt Takes Shots, Battles His Way to NBA Finals

Published

11 years ago

June 3, 2015

In this May 14, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt, center, talks with Timofey Mozgov (20) and Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half of Game 6 in a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) — For any NBA rookie, the first year is challenging. There’s the adjustment to travel, the pressure to perform and all that comes with being a professional.

It can be overwhelming — even for a seasoned coach. No, nothing has come easy for David Blatt, who has had a tumultuous journey with the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals.

Handed a star-studded squad but no handbook, Blatt managed high expectations and the world’s best player, ignored critics and battled a brutal case of homesickness.

For Blatt, leaving his family in Israel so he could chase his dream was more difficult than he imagined.

“It’s been really rough,” he told The Associated Press following a recent practice, clearing emotion from his throat.

“I’ve been away from my kids who I’m used to seeing every day, hugging and kissing them,” he said. “It’s not even the fact that I’m away for a long time, it’s just not having that close contact with the people I care about so much.”

The Boston-born coach came back overseas with no assurances he’d succeed in the NBA — too much risk to justify uprooting his wife and children from well-established lives in Israel.

Yet after a season of scrutiny, constant speculation about his future and a still-hard-to-decipher relationship with megastar LeBron James, Blatt is four wins from a championship.

It’s a personal victory for the international coaching legend, who led pro teams in Israel and Italy to titles and the Russian national team to an Olympic bronze. Despite an impeccable overseas resume, Blatt has been ridiculed for missteps in Cleveland.

He endured it all, guiding a Cavs team that started 19-20, was overhauled by trades and hurt significantly by postseason injuries.

He could gloat. He won’t.

“I told somebody recently I’m not a vindictive person,” he said. “So I don’t feel the need for vindication in any way.”

On the way to a finals matchup with Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who nearly hired him last summer, Blatt has taken shots about his personality, coaching choices and play calling.

During the season, James pushed Blatt out of the way while he argued with a referee in Phoenix, an awkward moment that led to questions about who was in charge.

In the closing seconds of a playoff game against Chicago, James changed an inbounds play moments after Blatt tried to call a timeout he didn’t have, sparking even more rumors that the Cavs might be poised for another coaching change.

Blatt outlasted the storm.

Watching the drama unfold from afar, former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said he’s amazed the “coaching piñata” has succeeded.

“No one was giving this guy any credit,” said Van Gundy, who will call the finals for ABC. “He took all the blame and the players took all the credit for the wins.”

Yes, the Cavs were transformed by two mid-season trades, but Van Gundy believes Blatt’s ability to adjust made the difference.

“He was masterful in that he simplified the game,” Van Gundy said. “He might have had one idea of how he was going to come in and play, and then he saw what the players could do, should do, and were willing to do, and he modified his approach, and it’s been very successful.”

While the Cavs’ turnaround has been impressive, so is the way his players have warmed to him.

In January, with Cleveland on a losing skid, James was given a chance to endorse his new coach and didn’t, saying: “I don’t pay no bills around here.” The heat grew so intense that general manager David Griffin called an impromptu news conference to say Blatt’s job was safe.

But on Monday, James offered effusive praise for his boss.

“Anytime someone is scrutinized really for nothing, I’m able to relate,” James said. “People love reading the negative things more than the positive things, so I think he’s handled his situation unbelievably. Being a rookie coach in the NBA, being able to take his team to the finals, I think he’s done a hell of a job.”

Blatt believed he’d have time to develop a young team when he was hired last summer. But then James returned, Cleveland acquired Kevin Love and the Cavs were instant title contenders.

There would be no grace period, no honeymoon. It was win, and win now.

“It was a big change,” Blatt said. “The only thing that helped me is that I’ve been in situations where I was expected to win immediately. But that was a real shift in focus and in challenge.”

Blatt, who led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Euroleague title a year ago, said a piece of advice from a former coach helped him navigate around the noise.

“He told me: ‘The moment you start listening to the guy who is sitting in the third row, you’ll quickly find yourself sitting right next to him. Go your own way,'” he said.

Blatt’s done just that, to the finals.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

2 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

9 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

12 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.