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He challenged Lebron not to go out the first door, when times get tough.

Got it. That makes sense.

Thank you.

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or Kansas wing Andrew Wiggins

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How can you pass on Ender?

Don't have anything concrete yet, but it really sounds like David Blatt is going to be the next coach of the Cavs.

Yea just needs Gilbert's blessing. I'm glad they didn't hire a retread. I've read he is an offensive mind, and isn't afraid to discipline players. I guess the only unknown, is how will the players respond to him. But we should be light years ahead offensively, when compared to Mike Brown.

People have Parker going to the Cavs now that Embiid is broken.

Also, the Warriors are willing to include Klay Thompson in a Kevin Love trade.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11110548/cleveland-cavaliers-offer-head-coaching-job-david-blatt

Not sure what to say about this hire, but it is interesting. If we didn't get Karl ... this was the kind of hire that I was sort of hoping for. It pretty much sends the message that we are going to stick with the young-guns and try to build things up for the ground, rather than trade the farm for Love and try and lure in Lebron with a veteran/retread coach. I'm okay with that. The guy is untested in the NBA, but he's got a great track record overseas. It will be interesting to see if he can build the European-type "team-ball" that helped the Spurs win a championship this year. He's going to have a young team that he can hopefully mold into something good. Our core is all under 24. I just hope our players don't tune him out the first time they hit a rough patch.

This kind of reminds me of the Eagles hiring Chip Kelly last year.

Blatt is supposed to be a very good offensive mind, a motivator, and an innovator. Hopefully he can make the adjustment to the NBA. I feel that it's a solid chance to take.

OK, now we might be getting carried away ......

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in Cleveland? ESPN's Bill Simmons says 'do not rule this out' | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/06/lebron_james_and_carmelo_antho.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony together in Cleveland? This summer will be very interesting for Cavs fans.

ESPN's Bill Simmons answered 24 questions from the NBA Finals and looks ahead to the circus this summer that will be NBA free agency. He gives his take on the who will end up where and why. One of his screnarios is LeBron and Carmelo teaming up and coming to Cleveland to play for the Cavaliers.

Door No. 2 (+400 odds): He goes back to Cleveland and convinces Carmelo to come with him.

Do NOT rule this out. Especially if Cleveland hires a coach that LeBron likes. The Cavs are loaded with young assets and could create whatever team LeBron wanted. And also, you gotta love the fairy-tale ending here — LeBron coming home as 10,000 different Cavs fans make YouTube montages of him with that “I’m Coming Home” song.

(The biggest obstacle: Will LeBron ever forgive Dan Gilbert for The Letter? From what I’m hearing … not anytime soon. I’d start groveling to a connected third party right now, Mr. Gilbert, if you’re not doing that already.)

Will this happen? Probably not. But it is fun to think about.

Carmelo Anthony to Cleveland Cavaliers with sign-and-trade for No. 1 pick? Orlando reporter says it's possible (poll) | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/...t_river_default

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Cavaliers currently hold the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

Could that be what brings Carmelo Anthony to the Cavs?

David Pingalore, a sports reporter with WKMG Channel 6 in Orlando, Fla., who once worked at WOIO Channel 19 in Cleveland, Tweeted on Thursday that a sign-and-trade deal with the New York Knicks involving the Cavs' top pick could be in the works:

My Miami insders believe that the #knicks are working on a sign and trade with @cavs for the number one pick sending Melo to Cleveland! #NBA

— david pingalore (@pinglocal6) June 20, 2014

Pingalore's report didn't appear to catch on with other media outlets late Thursday night. There have been of rumors about Anthony ending up in Miami with LeBron James, although Heat President Pat Riley called that a "pipe dream" on Thursday.

But there also is speculation that the foot injury to top prospect Joel Embiid might change the Cavs' strategy one week before the NBA Draft.

Should the Cavs consider trading the No. 1 pick for Anthony, who has averaged 27.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in his 11 seasons but never has been close to an NBA Finals? Or should they hold onto the pick and take a chance with Embiid, Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker?

Cavs fans have been piping up on Twitter and many are skeptical about Pingalore's report. Anthony did not fare well in a poll Thursday on Cleveland.com asking readers about a possible pairing of James and him with the Cavs.

I'm not a fan of Carmelo Anthony.

Read that waiters and thompson could be moved on draft night. They are not on the block, but could be moved if the right offer came in.

I like Melo and all, but 11 years in the league? I don't think I'd give up the 1st pick for him.. Just an initial thought

Confirmed by the PD, the Cavs and Blatt have reached agreement.

Wojnarowski with the details...

RT @WojYahooNBA David Blatt has agreed to a four-year deal that could be worth as much as $20 million with the Cavaliers, league source tells Yahoo Sports.

Cool.

I kinda like this hire. I keep hearing about how he is a leader, and an offensive innovator.I think that will greatly benefit a young team.

I would have liked to see Mark Price get a shot, but this guy has a great reputation.. so good luck Cavs

The only thing I know about Blatt is what I have read, but I actually like this hire. I love innovative guys and he might be a guy who stars want to play for. Additionally, I love how the Spurs play team basketball. The ball and the players are always moving. Lots of swinging the ball and guys flashing to the basket. It's exciting to watch.

The concern would be whether or not Blatt can deal w/the super egos in the NBA.

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The concern would be whether or not Blatt can deal w/the super egos in the NBA.

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I think that's the single biggest question about any first time Head Coach.

I don't know, Mike Brown has historically been awful, but Mike D'Antonio failed all the way up from Denver to the Lakers

Edit: Also he can't handle super stars worse than Mike Brown. All reports from the locker room during the LBJ years was that he let LBJ walk all over him. Not to mention he couldn't get his two best players to agree on anything. Scott Brooks might not know what he's doing, but at least he knows how to get KD and Russell Westbrook to play with each other.

I've always like Dantoni as a head coach. He was in 2 awful situations in New York, and LA, but his time in Phoenix was a thing of beauty. If it wasn't for San Antonio, he may have a few rings on his fingers. No shame losing to those guys.

New Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt known for innovation and winning | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/06/post_81.html#incart_2box

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- New Cavaliers coach David Blatt brings two key elements to the job: Innovation and victories.

"David Blatt is going to bring some of the most innovative approaches found in professional basketball anywhere on the globe,'' Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said in the press release officially announcing Blatt's hire on Friday night. "Time and time again, from Russia to Israel and several other prominent head coaching jobs in between, David has done one thing: win. He is not only an innovator, well-trained and focused on both sides of the court, but he is always learning and always teaching.

"Whether you are a top draft pick just entering the league, or a seasoned NBA veteran, Coach Blatt is going to take your game and the game of the team you are playing for to a new and higher level. That's just who the man is and we are proud to call him our new head coach. We are driven by one thing and one thing only; delivering Cavaliers fans everywhere and the city of a Cleveland the kind of competitive basketball they deserve. I look forward to David's leadership in helping the entire Cavaliers organization realize our vision.''

Blatt, 55, a Massachusetts native who played for Pete Carril at Princeton, signed an incentive-laden, three-year deal with a team option for a fourth that could be worth up to $20 million. He becomes the first European head coach to become an NBA head coach and will be introduced at a press conference on Wednesday.

"David is a great basketball coach and a special person,'' Cavs general manager David Griffin said in the release. "His abilities to communicate, to build relationships with his players and to foster winning environments at several stops throughout Europe and across the highest levels of International competition speaks for itself. He brings unbridled passion, energy and creativity to his craft. These qualities have enabled David to reach a level of success that is truly unique.

"I have watched David's work for many years. He has an uncanny ability to adapt his system to maximize the talents of his teams year after year. That is why I am very confident he will make a smooth transition to the NBA. There is a great opportunity to accelerate the progress of moving our team and franchise to the higher level of play we all believe we are capable of achieving. I am excited that the experience, knowledge, skills and leadership David will bring to the Cavaliers is the right fit at the right time."

Blatt most recently coached perennial Euroleague championship contender Maccabi Tel Aviv, where his team finished with a 54-18 record this season, winning the Israel League, Israeli Cup and the Euroleague Championship. During his six years as head coach (2001-03 and 2010-2014), Blatt led the team to six Israeli Cup championships and five Israeli League championships. Over the past four seasons, Blatt's teams went 225-55, (.804 winning percentage) including a team-best 70-13 record in 2011-12.

Earlier Friday, the team issued the following statement: "Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv is proud of David Blatt, who was the team's head coach for the last four years and has been part of the family for the last nine. We congratulate him on this historic achievement of being selected to man the post of head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the same way big players have traveled from Maccabi to the NBA, today the coach is on a similar path.

"Blatt is a brilliant person, a class-act as a coach and as a person, and there is no one better deserving this respected position. We went a long and success-laden way together, and today he is fulfilling a dream. We salute him and are sure that he will do a great job overseas as well. We wish him all the very best from the bottom of our hearts and are looking forward to meet David and the Cavaliers in the preseason."

Blatt also spent six years as head coach of the Russian National Team, where in 2007, he guided Russia to a FIBA European championship over then reigning world champion Spain in Madrid. During the 2012 London Olympics, he led Russia, including Sergey Karasev, to the bronze medal, the only Russian basketball medal since the break-up of the Soviet Union.

"I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to come to Cleveland and lead the Cavaliers as their head coach,'' Blatt said in the release. "After spending a great deal of time discussing the organization, the team and the head coach's role with David Griffin, I feel strongly about my fit for the job and this team's potential. This is an opportune time to join the Cleveland Cavaliers. We are going to work extremely hard to achieve the kind of results we all expect and know are possible.

"I also want to thank Dan Gilbert, Nate Forbes, Jeff Cohen, and many others within the Cavaliers front office, for their belief and confidence in me and what we can accomplish together. This is a proud day for me, personally, but I hope just the first of many more for all of us as we work towards a very bright future. I have always heard about how great of a sports town Cleveland is and have come to understand how much fans here care about the Cavaliers. This makes me feel especially excited and comfortable to join this community but above all motivates me to help deliver in a big way."

Blatt played professionally in Europe from 1981-93, mostly in the Israeli League. After retiring from playing in 1993 with Maccabi Hadera, Blatt built a successful 20-year coaching career overseas, including head coaching stints in Israel, Greece, Russia and Turkey. In 1996, he was named Israeli League Coach of the Year, the first of four times he would receive the award throughout his career (1996, 2002, 2011 and 2014). He has led teams to championships in the FIBA EuroChallenge (2005), Italian League (2006), Italian Cup (2007) and Adriatic League (2012) and was the Russian Super League Coach of the Year in 2005 (Dynamo Saint Petersburg).

His hiring brings a close to an almost six-week search to replace Mike Brown, who was fired on May 12. The decision came down to Blatt and Clippers assistant coach Tyronn Lue, a long-time NBA player who has been an assistant to Doc Rivers for five years, four of them in Boston. Alvin Gentry, believed to be the third finalist, took a job as the associate head coach of the Golden State Warriors under Steve Kerr. Kerr was considering Blatt for a similar position. The Cavs reportedly also considered hiring either Lue or Gentry as associate/assistant coach.

The search included at least a dozen candidates. Blatt was at least the seventh -- and last -- candidate to interview, along with Lue, Gentry, popular former Cav Mark Price, Lionel Hollins, Vinny Del Negro and Adrian Griffin. In addition, it's believed the Cavs reached out to at least another five candidates, formally or informally, including former Golden State coach Mark Jackson and college coaches John Calipari of Kentucky, Kevin Ollie of UConn, Billy Donovan of Florida and Tom Izzo of Michigan State.

With the coach in place, the Cavs now turn their attention to their No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft on June 26. They worked out Duke's Jabari Parker on Friday, after working out Kansas star Andrew Wiggins on Wednesday. After Kansas center Joel Embiid underwent foot surgery on Friday that could keep him out between four and six months, the Cavs choice likely will come down to Parker or Wiggins if the Cavs don't trade the pick.

I've been a disaffected hoops fan (or "nonfan") since around the time of Price, Daugherty, Nance, Hot Rod, etc, but every now and then I try to rekindle my interest in the Cavs and the NBA - if only to fill the void between football and baseball. So with that, a couple questions ...

* Can someone explain the "Princeton Offense", of which, I heard on the radio, Blatt is a proponent? The guy on the radio (Hooley) said it involves ball and player movement and alleviates the need for a ball-dominant point guard. How will that affect, if at all, Kyrie Irving's future here? Or Dion Waiters? Or the possible return of LBJ?

* Should the Cavs trade with Philly for 3 and 10, take Embied at 3 despite the foot injury, and look for a pure SG at 10? Big Z had serious foot problems early in his career, but still had a productive career here. I think it should be considered if doctors say he'll be good as new in 4-6 months. Good big men are rare.

The Princeton offense is guys moving, cutting, and ball movement. You see a lot of backdoor cuts in this offense.

I see no possibility Embiid becoming a Cav. Z had a nice career, but he lost a lot of his athletic ability due to the foot injuries. If he didn't have the injuries, Z could've been an all time great. His footwork, was unbelievable for a big man. I just don't see Embiid having a career, where he is injury free.

I don't think the Cavs have time to wait around for a guy like Embid to get healthy. Cavs were so patient with Z. We don't have that kind of time any more.

I liked this interview.you really get a sense of him. Link

The Cavaliers will resist trade offers, and keep the pick, Jabari Parker.

He's gonna galvanize a Cavalier effort and bring balance back.

Great, another player without a position, who needs serious work on developing his body.

Didn't we just go through that last year with Anthony Bennett?

I take Wiggins over him all day long.