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Cleveland Cavaliers: Is David Blatt To Blame For Early Struggle?

By Michael Saenz

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Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt took the blame for his team’s most recent loss, but is he really to blame for the team’s early season struggles? 

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The Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled this season. There’s no question about that.

And in any sport, if a team doesn’t meet expectations imposed by the media and observers, it’s almost nature to figure out where to place the blame. Since, you know, someone always has to be at fault.

With that said, and understood in the NBA, who is to blame for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ early season struggle?

Well, if you ask Cavs coach David Blatt, he’ll gladly take the bulk of it on the cheek. In fact, after last night’s loss against the Denver Nuggets, Blatt told reporters that the loss was on him.

"[via David Blatt: I knew game ‘dangerous’ — ESPN]“I can tell you, I knew going into this game that this was a dangerous, dangerous game and I made that point from the first time we walked in the locker room this morning, but I did not do a good enough job,” Blatt said. “Because if you’re thinking about … when I’m animated and I’m trying to get them going, then I’m late. I really am. And I tried. Because I knew it was coming, to be honest with you.“I’ve been in too many of these situations. Just too many. I’ve seen it a hundred times and I did not do a good enough job if they did not respond and come to play. And I’ll take responsibility for that too, because I’m surely part of this.”"

But at a certain point, an NBA coach only has so much impact on a game. Especially a regular season one.

In my opinion, an NBA coach’s most work comes in the playoffs. Where there is a ton of a lot more scheming and practicing for your opposition done. In the playoffs, you see a specific team at least four, up to seven, times before an eventual winner is crowned. That’s the moment when you can separate the incompetent coaches from the great ones. Not in the regular season.

Do I believe Blatt is to blame for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 5-4 start?

Not really.

Should he be immune from a portion of the blame?

Certainly not.

Although, I don’t believe a demeaning opinion should be concluded on Blatt just yet — no matter what record the Cleveland Cavaliers finish up with in the regular season.

Ultimately, as should be the case, Blatt’s judgement will be based on how the Cavs perform in the playoffs.

For the time being though, since it’s in our nature to want to point fingers, we shouldn’t look at Blatt.

Not yet.

Sure, the Cavs have gotten off to a start that wasn’t expected. They’re not blowing through the NBA as many predicted.

But that’s not because of Blatt. At least not entirely.

I’m not even entirely sure where the blame should fall, but I know exactly sure where it shouldn’t.

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