Podcast Episode 83: So now what?
2016-01-25Nate and Cory gave their thoughts on the Blatt firing in our emergency podcast. For our regularly scheduled Sunday-night podcast, I got Mallory and David to talk about Tyronn Lue’s first game and what the Cavs must do to raise their ceiling to the level of the Spurs and Warriors. Mallory accidentally dropped an F-Bomb just fyi. Give it a listen and sound off in the comment section.
https://soundcloud.com/ctb-5/cavs-theblog-podcast-episode
As a bonus, here is the segment I recorded with Mark Neal last Thursday, prior to Blatt being fired. It’s still relevant because it’s more about The Warriors and the Spurs than the Cavs anyway.
https://soundcloud.com/dayton-radio/tom-pestak-from-cavstheblogcom-talks-everything-cavs-with-mark-neal-on-dss
As a person who prefers hard evidence over noisy speculation, I have been looking for some kind of a visible “smoking gun” in the days leading up to the firing of David Blatt. Even if Woj or Windy or whomever is right and this all goes back to summer and fall 2014, there is still the question of “why now?” that needs to be addressed. Try to visualize things from the standpoint of an increasingly frustrated David Griffin. (My personal theory — as good as the next guy’s, and totally missed by Windhorst — is that David Griffin ended up… Read more »
There can only be one David.
Alright, I needed a few days to vent about a decision that I don’t think makes much long or short term strategic sense. However, what is done is done, so there is no going back. I am going to ignore my instincts and go with my heart. I am all in for the era of Lue. I hope the players listen to him and I hope he has some solutions on offense. Hopefully tonight we start seeing some coherent offense and some more effort like we saw in the Chicago game. I don’t expect to see much in these next… Read more »
I ACTUALLY LIKE TORONTO BEING RANKED AHEAD OF US —–LET THEM BE THE SO CALLED ” HUNTED “
Uh, just too much drama to establish an environment conducive to success.
Everyone wants to play fast until they realize that running all the time is exhausting.
These “Out of Shape” comments are really making me feel guilty for not going to the gym.
According to Griffin, David Blatt came into camp wanting to play faster. But it wasn’t something that had gained traction.
I mean, everyone knows that you can’t play fast if your spirit isn’t connected.
Of course he did. They players refused. Do you all remember how fast they played when they were first installing Blatt’s system at the beginning of last year? Remember how dominate they were running things before all the injuries? Something was different this year though.
Did anyone see LeBron’s instagram this morning? https://www.instagram.com/p/BA9pZoBiTKT/?taken-by=kingjames
Is this a shot at Blatt?
I think he means the face he had during his workout, lol.
Windy said on LeBatard that this is LeBron’s passive aggressive way of responding to the “Out of Shape” comments.
Here is the link to the Dave McMenamin interview on 92.3 http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2016/01/25/dave-mcmenamin-says-its-certainly-in-lebrons-self-interest-to-have-tyronn-lue-succeed-i-dont-think-theyre-giving-up-on-kevin-love/
I like that title. I am astounded at all the people who think LeBron would rather tick off a coach than win. He likely gives a lot of thought to his legacy. He might have been protecting Blatt’s job out of concern for the “coach killer” narrative.
The coach killer narrative is so stupid.
He played for Silas, then Brown for 5 freaking years, then Spo for 4 freaking years. They’ve never gotten rid of a coach mid season until now.
Cavs aside, it’s pretty insane how the league has two teams as good as the Warriors and Spurs. Both are historically good. Possibly the best pairing of teams in the same season ever. I wish one of them was in the Eastern conference. This should be the finals match up.
Spurs-Warriors is the best defense-offense clash in NBA history: 53eig.ht/1NvXk1W
BTW I am traveling to Columbus to check out the GSW/SAS game tonight… so here are your numbers for tonight: CLE is a 13 point favorite against MIN with an o/u @ 204.5. Smart money is on a MIN cover and the UNDER. Sharps have been putting some late action on the MIN cover. I’ll take CLE 108-96 over MIN. CLE’s defense should carry the day against MIN whose best jump shooter is arguably KAT. But I have no confidence in my pick :(. GO CAVS! EXTRAS: SAS is the smart money to cover against GSW who are favored by… Read more »
Are there any odds listed on teams winning the NBA listed? It would be interesting to see how that has evolved as the season wore on, particularly the last couple days.
CLF – Take CLE and the over. The Cavs will play better than against Chicago. They embarassed themselves enough to come out with focus tonight against an inferior opponent.
This team, more than any other in recent memory, is an emotional team. Its why I thought they’d wilt against Chicago after the change. They’ve had a few days now and renewed focus, and the new coach bounce will happen tonight against a bad defense. They’ll get a hop to their step and win convincingly.
They’ll probably crash back to earth against the Spurs.
Griffin on ESPN: David Griffin adds that the #Cavs have never put together a package for Kevin Love nor have taken any calls regarding a trade.
David Griffin adds that the #Cavs have never put together a package for Kevin Love nor have taken any calls regarding a trade. Griffin: David Blatt is a tremendous basketball coach… He did a fine job with this team. #Cavs Griffin: We have guys that very much want to be coached. #Cavs Griffin: We have seen a change in terms of our attitude and the spirit we bring to the gym. #Cavs Griffin: I don’t think there was any difference in LeBron’s relationship with Blatt than (for example) Shumpert’s with Blatt. #Cavs Griffin: This may get worse before it gets… Read more »
Listening to Dave McMenamin on 92.3, and he basically said that Blatt is good at developing players, but has never coached super stars. He asked the show, who were the top 3 best players he coached before Cleveland? Anthony Parker and two other guys who have not made it to the NBA. He said that it is not all on Blatt, then alluded that Kevin Love was the next problem. Saying why would you want to continue to pass it to Love in the post if he keeps missing? That’s why Kyrie and LeBron go ISO. That being said, he… Read more »
McMenamin adds, that these changes might not even matter, because there is a historic team in Golden State, like the Bulls who no one could be in a series.
The Cavs nearly beat the Bulls in a couple of those series’. If they had NOT traded Harper, Kevin Johnson, Mark West, and three #1’s for Danny Ferry and Larry Nance, they would have probably won half of those years. I liked Larry Nance, but personally, I could have figured out how to use Mark Price and Kevin Johnson on the same team. Ferry had some decent moments, but Coach Lenny Wilkins refused to play him most of the time. Anyone remember the big redheaded walk on from Notre Dame, total stiff, who started in the playoffs in place of… Read more »
McMenamin thinks they will make a trade or some trades, but won’t break up the big 3. McMenamin thinks they are looking for a pure shooter.
They definitely need a pure shooter… they also need a bench scorer.
McMenamin thinks that if they beat SAS on Saturday all that negativity and doubt will go out of the locker room
See? He read my comment from a day or two ago.
It is obvious that if the Cavs stay #1 and win the EC, this tempest in a teapot will be long forgotten by June.
I would be astounded if the players on any team in the NBA intentionally tanked a game. A lot of people don’t seem to realize how hard you have to play to win at that level. If you are dispirited, you can get run out of the gym pretty quick.
They got run out of the gym in the Portland game. And the second Warriors game.
Big surprise… ESPN has the Cavs now ranked 5th in Power Rankings
1. GS
2. Spurs
3. OKC
4. Toronto
5. Cavs
http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings/_/year/2016/week/13
That’s dumb.
Cavs are still right up there at number 3 for now.
I don’t read too much into the rankings. I get why they are ranked 5th, but I don’t think Toronto or OKC are better teams.
Yeah…I can see this ranking as a momentary thing, and in fact we might have fallen further than this. Once everyone’s more comfortable with Lue, we’ll be back to number 3. But I don’t see us getting close to number 2.
Pretty much agree. If they get to #2, Lue should be COY (or, maybe, ROY).
It is realistic to hope they can get into position for a possible upset.
Jesus, again the negativity of this latest podcast is ridiculous. It has made me not want to listen anymore. Part of why I preferred this blog to that FTS one is that you guys were not so negative and pig-headed in your opinions but now I see the same thing happening…smh…
aww come on KJ.
The podcasts are almost always positive.
This is a downer week, ya know?
Tom, it has been a trend. The thing that bothers me most is the lack of context. By EVERY SINGLE METRIC, this team is better than last year’s team. Yet, all I hear is how awful we are how we have no chance. Did you people not watch last year’s playoffs? Even Love before his mugging RAISED his game! LBJ clearly did to almost super-human levels. The Cavs proved that they could be physically and mentally tough and be victorious in the face of adversity. How many of you on here predicted that for the Cavs in Jan of last… Read more »
Well, yeah. This team is still making the Finals. No doubt about that.
Ok well first of all, last season could be separated into about 4 different seasons.
They haven’t played as well as they did if you look at January 15th onward. And they aren’t playing as well right now as they were playing at this time last year.
We all brought up that they have until June to figure it out. The podcast ends on a positive note. Listen from 1:07 onward.
Actually by both O & D efficiency ratings they are better than they are last year. At any point. The defense never got higher than 10, iirc
Btw, I listened to the whole podcast. It was uniformly negative.
no I’m saying if you throw out everything from the start of last season to January 15th the Cavs are not playing better this season than they played from Jan 15->onward.
Source: NBA.com
I am with Kj on this. This is still our team. We still have top 3 talent. Maybe Lue will be worthless. But it is just as likely that he will be an improvement. I like his style from what I have seen of it, if not his public speaking.
So, come on, let’s put some energy into cheering them on from here out!
I am ready for tonight. Cols, you ready?
Ray Allen Has Standing Offer To Return To Heat: basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/240555…
Uh oh Cols!!!!
We could use him.
Lebron talking new offense:
http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/video/2016/01/25/1453740949598-160125-shootaround-lebron.mov-251212/
There is one from Love as well, check underneath.
Everyone keeps on saying that things may be worse before it gets better. I think it may be true but I just wonder how long of a leash Lue will get. I think he definitely connects better to the players but as a tactician, I’m not sure he’s the better X’s and O’s guy in my opinion.
He was the “defensive coordinator” but let’s not forget that we continuously get torched on Kyrie/Love PnR. I thought some simple adjustments would be to put kyrie on non ball handler or K Love exclusively only on Centers but I digress…..
This might have been mentioned somewhere here but Bob Ryan was suspended for blasting Mark Jackson as a phony.
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/bob_ryan_was_suspended_by_espn_for_mark_jackson_comments/s1_127_20234038
Maybe this is what spurned the Jackson tirade instead of just surprise over Blatt’s firing.
How in the heck do you “reach out” to someone after you blast them like that?
I mean, what, did Mark Jackson answer the phone and go “ah yeah, we’re cool Bob.”
According to Chris Haynes, Minnesota has no intention of reaching out to Blatt. For those who do not know, Lue is best friends with KG. I wonder if that had anything to do with it? Or the Wiggins connection?
Is Haynes the All Knowing, See All , Magical and Wonderful Oz all the sudden? It’s ironic he says no one misses Blatt but here he is still writing about him. LoL
OK so at what point do you guys stop listening to the podcast.
I’m kinda saddened that no one listened to the end…
I made it to an hour and 6 minutes (was it 1:15?) then something came up. What happened at the end?
Go listen and describe it for everyone.
Yes! Get me on the podcast!!!
Mallory rant in chipmunk. Funny.
Can you guys figure out a way to keep these slightly shorter. Like an hour at most?
Tom just did. Play it in double time.
Yeah we need to shorten them.
That’s almost always my fault – I talk too much.
Am I allowed to swear on the podcast?
Only if I can’t find a way to edit it out.
Seriously, where does mallory drop the eff bomb?
I looked for so long.
eph bomb
Spell it correclt, yo!
When is your birthday? I’ll live blog a podcast then.
this can’t be a once a year thing, Cols. COME ON.
eff bomb at 55:02
yeah. sorry about that. we try to keep it clean.
The chipmunks arguing about Kevin Love!
Don’t worry I’ll be listening to it at some point today. I usually ALWAYS listen to the entire thing. Big day for me tomorrow. I’ll be getting surgery . I’ll be out of commission for 2 days or so.
Oh eph.
What happened?
Sorry to hear that. Hope it’s nothing serious.
OK – hope the surgery is smooth and you are back in commission asap.
As always, thanks for listening/commenting, TV63.
Nah Not serious. Just something I have been putting off for too long. Hoping I can get relief on my neck & back issues.
Hope all goes well for you TV! We’ll put in a request with the hospital to have the FSO broadcast in your room for the TWolves game…
I hope you have or get a great physical therapist. Can make all the difference.
Absolutely do the physical therapy, and do some more on your own, and don’t ever quit. That is a major reason for people who don’t have successful outcomes.
I loved it just like i have loved everything on this site sine the early Krolik days. I also appreciate having cols around to play the role of optimist. Seriously, mad props to you cols for calling how well the cavs would play against east last year even without love. I know i can be a bit of a pessimist, but i like to think my ponts are generally logical and somewhat objective, but nonetheless sometimes i get down too much on this team and find myself depressed which is why cols views can be refreshing. This community would not… Read more »
amen, John B. Thanks for the kind words.
I’m glad Cols has made this his home.
Now we just need to get KJ back.
Also sorry for so many typos in my posts. Often times I write via my phone.
likewise. My new phone is terrible with autocorrect too.
Latest from McM: LeBron James was asked why the Cavs would want to play so much quicker under Tyronn Lue considering their success playing slow under David Blatt: “I don’t know. We don’t know. This is what Coach (Lue) wants. This is what Coach wants to do and this is what we’re going to do. This isn’t a LeBron thing. I’m talking out of IQ of the game, but this is what Coach wants to do, so this is what we’re going to do.”
Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Is he just playing humble and deferring, or is he taking a jab at Lue by saying what Coach wants to do is at odds with his IQ of the game?
Why you always gotta be so weird with the media comments, Leb? He’s not been saying the things a leader should…
he’s trying to get the point across that he’s just a soldier and doesn’t get outside his lane.
Which everyone knows is patently ridiculous.
Posnanski has some interesting comments at his blog about how hard it is for international coaches to gain respect in the USA. He makes a comparison to a Royals manager. Maybe it will give some more perspective to those who hate that players have power in the league.
http://joeposnanski.com/the-blatt-hillman-conundrum/
Great podcast! I agree with Mallory’s sentiments. Whether or not you are in favor of the move or not, it still doesn’t make me feel reassured that this team has what it takes to get over the hump.
What possible move would make everyone feel reassured?
This was a move that at least could be made, and if it does not pan out, Dan will pay him off and try someone else. Maybe we don’t like that approach, but sometimes it works. How many times did George Steinbrenner fire Billy Martin? Four I think, and dozens of other coaches. And how many World Series’s did Steinbrenner win? I think at least four. So I ain’t buying the “Winning organizations don’t fire coaches” rap.
I think that firing Blatt was unjustified and will have little to no impact on team performance. That said, the most alarming thing out of all of this is that players thought Love was going to be traded. Does that mean a segment of the team has been dissatisfied with Love? Have there been rumors on the team that Love might get shipped out? WTF? After trading him for Wiggins and signing him to a max deal, this is all a bit bizarre and somewhat unnerving.
Probably is just shows that the players do not tune out the media. All sorts of talking heads had been predicting Love was traded. Then they get a special meeting, and no doubt wonder what was up, and probably said: “darn, they were trying to trade Kevin”.
Also, has that report actually been substantiated? I think only Windy said that. If it is true, it undercuts the theory that the players were in a conspiracy to get rid of Blatt, or they would have suspected that was what the meeting was about.
Another consideration. Where do guys like Windhorst, who’s career is having “inside info”, get info? No doubt, they spend all day annoying everyone they know with any connection to the team. So what fraction of the time do the people they call tell the truth, say nothing, lie, make a joke, or whatever? Like when your phone rings for some stupid poll about who you would vote for or something. Usually I hang up, or say something like Donald Trump just for a laugh. So if a player got asked, “What did you think when you got called to a… Read more »
Windhorst gets his info from opposing gms, scouts, etc. Basically, people he has formed relationships with over the years. He calls up, say, an advanced scout of the Pacers and says: “Paul George is playing as well as anyone. Do you like how Frank Vogel is using him.” They chat a bit about that. Then the talk about C.J. Miles. They they go into: “how do you think they’ll guard LeBron in a playoff series” and then the scout will go into how they prepare for LeBron. Now he can write a piece about: “it’s no secret around the league… Read more »
Windy claims to only be an Ohio State Football fan. But as we see with Ethan Sherwood Forest, sometimes writers have biases.
well, pretty much every podcast with Rizzo ends with him ranting about the Browns.
He’s definitely a Browns and Tribe fan. I’m sure he views the Cavs differently, and I don’t think he has a high opinion of Dan Gilbert at all. Don’t think he really likes LeBron either. But he wants them to win a title – no doubt in my mind. He says “for the fans.” But when you’ve been a fan of something for long enough, something kicks in when the stakes get high.
I just envision Sherwood fist pumping in his skinny jeans every time Draymond Green does anything noteworthy and then smirking as he thinks of something smarmy and ironic to tweet.
Must be nice.
If I could find a picture of that for you Tom, I would…
92.3 the Fan is asking, What is the right song to pay tribute to David Blatt?
“It’s the end of the world as we know it, and Cols feels fine”
Nice, I dig that tune!!!!
“Paint It Blatt” by the Rolling Stones?
Nananana Hey hey hey goodbye by Steam
“Countdown to the Armageddon” by Public Enemy.
First verse of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” or perhaps it should be “Luese Yourself.” If you had one shot, or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted. In one moment. Would you capture it, or just let it slip away.”
Blatt let it slip aways by not going out with a blaze of glory being his tougher Euro self.
!!!!!!!!!LUESE YOURSELF!
Everybody wants to rule the world…..Tears for Fears
Gold and Green Time!
https://www.facebook.com/Cavs/videos/10153953665533278/
ARCH AGREE WITH YOU ON THIS WEEK’S WINS / LOSSES —PLUS WE ALREADY KNOW HOW VAN GUNDY AND POP FEEL ABOUT BLATT’S FIRING —-THEY WILL BE ” AMPED ” UP TO SEND A MESSAGE ——WE HAVE ALL VENTED OUR EMOTIONS FOR 3 DAYS —I GUESS IT IS NOW TIME TO GET BACK TO WHO WE ARE THE BEST CAVS SUPPORTERS AROUND —-GO CAVS !!!!
I think VG and Pop have better things to do than send a message. Plus, by now they have probably learned more about what was going down, and wish they had not commented. Other than this minor issue, AGREE WITH NOMAD!
They meant what they said, and unless they retract it, don’t put words in their mouths.
Good Pod. BTW Mallory needs to FIT OUT or something. F-Bombs, playing video games, guzzling water. Come on lol. “We had to cut the head off the snake, and that’s (James) Harden, and then just try to defend everyone else at the same time and we did that.” -Lebron. Would have applied to how they should have approached the Warriors as well. It worked in the Finals with less than half a roster. As to Blatt, the fact is that he is gone. Lue is here now. Lue is already calling guys out, good sign, if anything. Let’s hope for… Read more »
Pretty much agree, although dealing with the Rockets is a lot easier than the Dubs.
So we play the TWolves, Suns, Pistons and SAS this week. I think we go 2-2. I think we beat the Wolves and Suns then lose to the Pistons and Spurs. The Pistons and Spurs have superior coaches and Lue does not have enough experience at this point.
IT REALLY ALL GOES BACK TO EITHER ” THE HALLOWEEN PARTY THAT BLATT DIDN’T ATTEND OR ” THE NAKED MEETING BETWEEN BLATT / LEBRON “——YOU DECIDE WHICH ONE COST BLATT HIS JOB
I think it was the naked Halloween party that sealed Blatt’s fate.
He already had a costume ready and everything. Bad move.
Great podcast. Really enjoyed it.
Thank you!
Tony Rizzo just said on the radio, what if we could trade Kyrie for Aldridge, would you do it? The staff were like no. Then Rizzo said because Kyrie is a better player, but Aldridge is a better fit?!!?!?!?!?!?! What?
Kyrie for Chris Paul would be the ULTIMATE Win-now move.
It could look horrible in 2-3 years but honestly, I’d so much rather have a PG like CP3 right now than Kyrie’s zig-zagging dribbling escapades.
Defense would be much better as well.
Yeah, a week ago I would have said no effing way. Now, I’m all for it. But do the Clippers do this? Kevin Pelton made a reasonable case for this last week on ESPN.
That’s probably an indication it’s a knee-jerk move.
I’m really torn about what the Cavs should do at this juncture.
I’d have said “ride it out” with Blatt, knowing that most of the roster is locked up for 3-5 years and there is time to make the marriage work.
Obviously they are in win-now mode. CP3 would be the ultimate win-now transaction. He’s on the back 9.
This is also a championship or bust team. How much longer does LeBron have left in the tank to be even a top 10 player? The championship or bust mantra just got even more apparent.
It’s not a foregone conclusion that LeBron will be useless in 3-5 years. Guys are playing longer into their careers. The back stuff worries me, but Tim Duncan has had one good leg since 2011. Tom Brady looks like he could play another 10 years. If LeBron makes the requisite changes to his game I think he can play for a while at a high level. K Love and Kyrie are young pups. So are TT and Delly and Shump. J.R. is on the 12th hole. I’m not saying it’s a young team, but it’s not an old team with… Read more »
If you could get Chris Paul for Irving Griffin would do it in a heartbeat. Paul would be perfect for this team.
But, since we aren’t changing players we changed coaches. It seems like a good risk to take.
I agree completely with that move short term, not so much long term. Yeah think if they do nake a move, it will involve love, for better or worse.
Up and all it! What a beautiful time to be alive. Wake up @TheRealJRSmith!! Haha. #StriveForGreatness — LeBron James
It’s kind of insulting that he didn’t cc Kaun. Now Kaun is probably going to oversleep.
Might as well wake up Mo Gotti as well
It amazes me how the fans who cry that the sky is falling are the same ones spewing hatred for LeBron. If you don’t like the guy, where is all this pressure to win at all costs coming from? You should want the Cavs to lose terribly so he bolts town again.
Spot on.
I’m surprised, no shocked actually, at certain posters who have completely flipped out and are dialling 9-1-OMFG.
I really miss the calm, respectful and intelligent CtB posts I’ve become used to – the best I’ve seen on internet forums ever. Starting to think we aren’t that different from the rest….
Agree. The truth is that LeBron is a bit out of touch, and can come off as a bit clueless. But he lives an insane life. Everything he does is dissected, so he needs to create a “persona” for the media to consume. That is the only way for him to to live his life. People then over-interpret this persona and make him out to be some type of diva or evil guy. He is a good dude. He wants to win. He has his flaws, and is a bit caught up in himself, but he is also the only… Read more »
Don’t care about Lebron or how much he was involved. I just think to make this move now does nothing much to move us forward this season and has the potential to seriously backfire and cause us to be in a worse situation come playoff time. I also think it is a serious organizational strategic error long term. You guys really think that if the FO stood up to the players and made it known Blatt was here the rest of the season, James wouldn’t kick everyone back in line come march? Blatt or not, no way he sabotages his… Read more »
Why do you care if the players wanted a new coach and the FO decided it was the right move? I don’t see why this offends you.
Changing coaches mid season is a tremendous gamble. I hope it works out. You seem mad about something else entirely.
Cols, the biggest take away is not that they fired the coach, but what it reveals about the team and franchise. Do you understand this? Cavs have not been the poster boy for stability since Gilbert bought the franchise and this continues to show dysfunction.
It does not offend me. Why take an unnecessary gamble though? Again my.biggest problem is the timing and the long term problems it could present. Honestly, I would be fine with a change after the season. Really, if it came to it, then fire Blatt just not 41 games into a season,. I think he could still be an excellent coach in this league, but perhaps not for this team. But a midseason change at best does little and at worst has the potential to be a disaster short term and long term.That is my major issue, timing, timing, timing.
The Cavs only Finals appearances are since Gilbert took over. Which coach do you wish they had kept longer? Silas? Brown? Scott??? It’s pretty obvious that getting the coach right in the NBA is not easy. None of the guys the Cavs have fired have gone on to have success elsewhere so it’s pretty difficult to make the argument that they should’ve kept them around. Also, I think that they kept Brown for one season too long after the Orlando debalce. Maybe this was a similar thing where they saw Blatt getting out coached by an assistant (Walton) and decided… Read more »
Cols – good take.
This may end up being the right move given that the Cavs had plateaued even as guys continued to come back from injury.
Cols, I think you’re reasoning is pretty anecdotal and contradictory. So because Gilbert lucked into getting LeBron and possibly having one of the worst finals rosters in NBA history, that means a Gilbert franchise is the embodiment of stability? Also, you praise Gilbert for bringing the team to the finals, but then slam Blatt for losing to GS last Monday, even though he actually had this team up 2-1 in the finals last season. We also don’t know if Blatt was an NBA genius, because he really wasn’t given the opportunity by the players. That is on both the players,… Read more »
Yes I understand the GS game. Aren’t you the one who is always telling everyone not to panic after losses. What I saw that game had more to do with the structural makeup of this team than coaching. That is a very hard and difficult pill to swallow but there are some very definite matchup problems with that team as we are currently constructed. Not sure how coaching is able to make up for all of that. It may mean though that we need another or different piece.
There is also the chance that the Cavs were unable to move forward towards establishing an identity under Blatt and that now there is a chance (however slim) that it happens under Lue.
I think that’s what Griffin is hoping for.
Yep, this is clearly what they want to happen.
The funny thing is that in the week after the GSW loss everyone was up in arms about how the Cavs had no chance and no identity. Griffin is trying to something about that.
@Cols – This is a great point. I am curious how many people that are mad about Blatt firing are the same people that were critiquing the team for not being cohesive or having an identity for the past month. You can’t have it both ways.
If you thought the team was not playing well, and that SA and GSW was light years ahead of us (which a lot people were saying a week ago), you should be happy with this move.
I personally thought they played great to start against SA and then getting away from ball movement killed them along with sa completeley exposing irving and love on d. Again think the warriors pose massive matchup problems that are difficult solve coaching wise.
Exactly!
This is going to continue to plague them. When things get tight, they all want to revert to iso ball. It’s what they’re most comfortable with.
I personally think LeBron is a bit of a headcase. I mean he changes he free throw stroke on a game to game basis. He has gotten really random with his headband. Wears it, doesn’t wear it, wears it backwards, takes it off…
I have a hard time seeing him stick to the system when things start unraveling.
So the players have been juvenile. You want to punish them with another half season of Blatt? Wouldn’t you rather take a shot a winning this year?
It is just astounding the amount of people who would rather go down with the ship than hop on a lifeboat. Sure, a lifeboat is not as good as a ship that has not sunk, but it is better than a ship underwater.
Yeah but the Cavs proved last season that they had the defensive-minded grit to compete at the highest level. What’s going to get them over the top is really just one thing they have never shown: ability to be more than the sum of their parts on offense.
Isn’t Blatt better suited to do that then Ty Lue? Wasn’t Ty Lue’s impact on the defensive end already being felt? Now he’s taking over the offense. Even if the players like him more or buy into him more – what are they buying into?
I think you are misrepresenting the consensus of the bloggers. It’s more complicated than a #TeamLeBron vs. #TeamBlatt.
Or as you phrased it “Team: LeBron is the Devil and Blatt is a god” vs. “Team Blatt is a god and LeBron is the devil.”
As I have stated I think this move midseason brings a greater chance of failure than sticking with Blatt for the remainder of the year. I also think the team’s problem versus the warriors is more structural than coaching. I hope you are right and that this change is truly a surrfire plus over not making a coaching move, but I just don’t see it.
If you took a poll on this site of “Should the Cavs trade LeBron” how many would respond in the affirmative?
I say less than 5% and 30% of people believe Aliens are among us and that we didn’t go to the Moon.
I suggested trading LeBron for Portzingas and it got a golf clap ovation.
Anyone who votes to trade LeBron should be thrown off of CtB.
Only people who are abusive or consistently use profanity are thrown off of CtB…
I would say only 2-3% would say trade LeBron. I am upset, but not stupid. My concern is your point on Lue being on the defensive side of coaching, so what does he bring to improving the offense? And of course, we certainly were not bad: 5th in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Right.
It’s a strange year to analyze their strengths and weaknesses because the bar is set so high.
They are clearly not on the level of GSW or SAS. But they would probably beat every other team in the league in a series.
I’m not sure where the gains are going to come from but they have to turn into a terror offensively.
It may be an overreaction… But maybe not? I mean, when your GM fires the coach and says that things are not right in the locker room, and there is a report that the players anticipated Kevin Love (who just signed a max contract) is being shopped – well…what about that is calming? Throw in the thousand point loss to the Warriors at home when completely healthy… That’s just alarming. If you think none of this is a big deal, by all means, provide some insight and give us all a collective hug – I could use it! One of… Read more »
I hear what you’re saying, Kevin and Simmo, but I still think the responses and arguments on both sides have been (for the most part) well thought out and presented. The firing of a coach can be a pretty polarizing event, and the added media narrative swarm can influence everyone to a degree. I haven’t seen a ton of disrespectful posts… mainly just people venting some frustration, and the occasional projection from that emotion. The loss to the Bulls certainly didn’t do anything to help assuage this… Probably the only thing that will in the relative short term would be… Read more »
It is polarizing. But most of the whining is by people who want the players to be punished. Maybe they were crybabies, I don’t know. But this late in LeBron’s career, it is insane to punt the rest of the year just to show the players that the FO is the boss. There is now a chance to win it this year. Maybe not a good chance, but a lot better than three days ago. Can anyone find out how the Vagas line on the Cavs winning this year changed when Lue came in? Pro gamblers are usually in the… Read more »
Yep. For some stupid reason a lot of fans want some coach to come in screaming at everyone showing who is in charge like it’s some high school team.
The best coaches, meanwhile, are the ones who can relate to their players and earn their respect that way while also showing good adjustments and what not.
Blatt may have been a great international coach, but clearly he wasn’t able to get the respect of his players.
CLF is our resident Vegas numbers guy… what say you CLF?
My point in the initial post is that the key missing piece is offensive flow especially KLOVE… that’s really all we’re missing on this team… then you hire the DEFENSIVE COACH to fix this problem??? Going faster won’t help…. it actually increases the probability that GSW and SAS offenses will win them their games… because they’re more efficient offenses. Yes, we did receive more effort from our dear leader on defense against the Bulls…. and we also received tragically inept offense as well from everyone but KLOVE…. and we ran exactly 1 set offense to KLOVE on the elbow. As… Read more »
This move feels a lot more like punting the season to me than sticking it out would have. The only thing that makes sense to me right now is to think they’re going for the Luke Walton hiring this summer. I honestly hope you’re right, though. @Cols: Here’s my problem with that argument: if these players really wanted to win a championship, it shouldn’t have been a situation where the coach had to convince them to buy in. They should have done it of their own volition from day one. Anyone with eyes can see that this team needs a… Read more »
Kevin I think there’s a frustration with LeBron that surfaces during times like these. I’m glad LeBron is back and I enjoy watching him play and he’s the best chance Cleveland has to end the curse. That said, I think it’s reasonable to call into question his organizational power plays, especially when they seem detrimental to the pursuit of a championship. I’m not saying that in this case his treatment of Blatt has sabotaged the season, but I get the sense that this team could be so much better if someone outside of his mind could convince him to submit… Read more »
Gents, thanks for the attempt to slay this media hydra–this will not bed itself until long after the season is over, when LeBron continues to hem, haw and hold the franchise ransom again while deciding on a new contract–and what else he can control within the organization. In the meantime, two thoughts dominate my reflection on the last year and a half: 1. Much like Brown and Silas, Scott and Brown, and Blatt and ____ (Lue?), the Cavs seem to have the right coach at the wrong time. Blatt should have never coached this team NOW–and Lord knows how many… Read more »
1.) Blatt would definitely have had an easier time coaching a young team of players that would have had little choice but to buy in to his system and philosophy. 2.) I’d prefer LeBron stick to the energy/effort/mindset leadership and let a coach figure out the Xs and Os. I imagine he does allow the coaching staff to go over these things in practices and film sessions. I just think when push comes to shove he reverts to what he knows on offense. Unfortunately, he’s not the same player he was in 2007 and he can’t just will himself to… Read more »
Just started listening to the podcast….Tom saying “it was about ’99, I was a freshman in HS” made me feel old….I was a freshman in HS about ’81. Thanks a lot, Tom.
Haha, sorry Mike0. My WiiFit age is a lot older than my age if that’s any consolation.
Chad Johnson was the CPR celebration I believe… along with Riverdance, golf with the pylon… he was the best! Also, don’t forget Joe Horn hiding a cell phone in the goalpost! I read Lloyd’s article… he thought Blatt was difficult towards him…??? Lloyd doesn’t consider the fact that he doesn’t ask good questions. I watched those pressers… Blatt was more than gracious to Lloyd. If anything Lloyd is projecting his own paranoia or butthurt that he didn’t receive the answers he wanted. re: Kyrie… there’s a difference between being skilled at basketball and being good at the game of basketball.… Read more »
Llloyd is pretty much a tool. I said in an earlier post, it’ll be interesting to read Lloyd’s thoughts if the Cvs lose in the EC playoffs. Is it better if a coach that Lloyd likes better loses to the Raptors?
Lloyd thinks that because he’s a sports writer he knows as much as players and coaches who actually work in the game. Typical… Joe Vardon and Chris Parker do the same thing. At least Chris Fedor and Chris Haynes don’t come across as foolish as the incompetent triumvirate I’ve aforementioned.
Re: Lloyd and the media in general (including Vardon, Haynes, Windy (I like McTen)), they created this whole narrative of Blatt as difficult. He wasn’t difficult – he was a more precise thinker than them, and was able to highlight how stupid all of their questions are. The fact that they all dislike him shows how unprofessional they are. They should understand that Blatt’s goal is to protect his team, and protect important information. Not to be buddies with the media. Ugh. The media is so annoying….
Get real. If this was right, then why have 100% of the former Cavs rated Blatt as difficult or incompetent. You think those guys take orders from sportswriters? And even if all the bad attributes about the Cavs players are true, what would you do if you were GM? Trade everyone? When it became apparent that Blatt could not do the job, you have to do something. Maybe Lue will do better, maybe he won’t. All the best coaches had a first job. Sometimes they were good right off the bat, sometimes not. LeBron certainly has shown some traits that… Read more »
Well said Raoul.
we said.
Good post.
All indications point to Lue, to answer your last question.
I just keep going back to what Nate said. Did Griffin ever approach Blatt and lay it all on the line? give him a chemistry ultimatum? Why wasn’t there at least one final power struggle for Blatt to impose his DNA on the team before he was canned?
Yo, who’s Nate?
Nate Smith. His bio is in the right panel.
When you have a coach who wasn’t respected by the team throughout his entire tenure, giving him sudden license to chew out players is only going to make him look foolish. So then with his only other real power being to bench players, your alternative becomes a team that isn’t playing LeBron James…
Not sure if you are writing at me when you say, “Get real.” To be clear, I have no issues with decision to fire Blatt. Makes perfect sense to me. He wasn’t doing his job fully. I hope Lue can help us play better. But I also think the media are buffoons and loved how Blatt was not afraid of making fun of them to their faces. That was my favorite part of Blatt era, and I will miss it. Finally, I have not seen any players call Blatt difficult. The critiques that have come out from players indicate he… Read more »
I really miss those ridiculous WR celebrations. Don’t understand why the NFL cracked down on it. Made the game fun.
The best thing for the NFL is when Moms are writing in about Cam Newton’s excessive celebrations and Mike and Mike spend hundreds of hours moralizing about not moralizing about celebrations in the “look at me culture.” Ultimately harmless behavior generating super strong opinions is what sports is all about these days!
Bring back the choreographed TD celebrations!
HAHAHA…. Amen Tom!!! Loved it as well!
Man I heard Greenberg rip that lady a new one…. he was irate about that letter!