Nov 19, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt reacts in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
David Who?
I’m not entirely sure David Blatt knew what he was getting into when he decided to leave the Euroleague for the NBA. I think many forget that this is Blatt’s first season as a head coach in the NBA. This was supposed to be his “feel it out” season.
He was hired before LeBron decided to return to Cleveland. He wasn’t under the impression that he was going to be expected to lead a star-studded squad to an NBA championship in his first season — he couldn’t.
He’s under unprecedented expectations. In comparison to the 2010 Miami Heat, Eric Spoelstra — a young and somewhat inexperienced NBA coach in his own right — still had a few years under his belt as a coach prior to the almost unrealistic expectations came.
Plus, the many years that he spent simply eyeing what it was like to be a coach in the NBA as the Heat’s video coordinator, and various other promotions through the years.
We don’t know what Blatt is going to be in the NBA. He could be great, or horrible. We just don’t know yet.
The really unfortunate thing here is that unrealistic expectations in his inaugural season in the NBA could stunt his coaching potential.