Cavaliers coach David Blatt isn’t a fan of the idea that Monday’s blowout loss to the Warriors signaled deep-running problems for his team, as Tom Withers of The Associated Press details. Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com suggested that Blatt’s job security depends on the team’s performance in the second half of this season, and other columnists have opined that the Cavs face a crossroads. Blatt said he doesn’t appreciate “far-reaching conclusions,” Withers notes.
“It’s about my team,” he said. “It’s about my guys and I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all. My guys are out there fighting for the Cavaliers and doing the best job they can in a tough NBA — very tough — especially because this is a team that night after night has a target on its back. They go out there and they fight and they play and they deal with adversity like we’ve had to deal with all year. We are far from perfect and we are still not at our best, but it’s not for lack of effort.”
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- SB Nation’s Tom Ziller also suggests the ramifications of the loss aren’t as severe as they’ve otherwise been portrayed, since it isn’t a given that the Warriors will get to the Finals and because the Cavs have little recourse to affect roster changes that would help them better match up with Golden State anyway.
- Pistons owner Tom Gores has committed more money and energy into the Pistons than it initially seemed reasonable to expect, and he’s made strong hires, particularly with coach/executive Stan Van Gundy, opines Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News. “There’s still gonna be a lot of ups and downs, but I don’t think there’s any doubt we’re on the right path and making progress,” Van Gundy said. “There’s also no doubt there’s still a long, long way to go.”
- The Bulls might not be a title favorite, but they’re still close enough to that level that they need not tear down the roster, contends Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding.
On what planet do the cavs have a target on their backs? Sorry buddy you aren’t san Antonio or golden state. Lebron james isn’t the guy he used to be and while he might sell tickets and bring media hype, on the court is another story.