If there is one person outside the Cleveland Cavaliers organization with the most credible insight on the team, that is former head coach David Blatt.
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The international coaching legend led the Cavs to a finals appearance last season and also piloted them to the East’s top spot before being let go by the team midway through the year. Since then, the team underwent a cultural change with coach Tyronn Lue at the helm and it led to them peaking in the playoffs.
While the Cavs visited the Toronto Raptors for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Finals joust, Blatt was also in town as guest speaker at the National Coaching Certificate Program (NCCP) Super Clinic. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin got a moment on the phone with Blatt to get his take on his former team’s title chances.
I think they’re playing great. I think that the players and the coaching staff are doing a terrific job, I really do. And I think the fact that they are healthy and have actually even added a piece or two makes them the team to beat right now, in my opinion. That’s really all I want to say.
The words weren’t really surprising, the fact that it came from David Blatt adds much more weight to them.
Channing Frye would have been a nice weapon for Blatt back then, but nothing beats the health that this Cleveland team is enjoying right now (knock on wood). Also, Tyronn Lue has been pushing the right buttons and making full use of his players’ talent, especially Kevin Love.
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Riding a hot streak, armed with a healthy Love and Kyrie Irving, to go along with a well-rested LeBron James, the Cavaliers’ chances are definitely looking at it’s best in decades.