Rumors

Brendan Haywood: My favorite Bron moment? The shot he hit in Chicago. All my career, I heard people say, "He can’t hit a game-winner. He’s scared of the moment." We’re down two. David Blatt draws up the game-winner for J.R. Smith. Bron grabs the clipboard, erases the play, and draws his own. He says, "Deli, take it out. I’m going to fake this way, pop to the corner, and hit the three." He fakes out Jimmy Butler, pops to the corner, hits the three, and wins the game. I’ve never seen anyone draw up their own game-winner like that. That’s elite.

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David Blatt chose to stand. The international coaching legend — who has relied on a wheelchair and crutches since a multiple sclerosis diagnosis six years ago took away his ability to walk — saw me approaching his hotel cafe from a distance and started to make his move. His right hand went first, pushing up from the table where he was sitting and lifting his frame just enough to allow the left hand to finish the job. He was up, if only for a few seconds, showing off that white Canada polo shirt that he would sport for a game against Spain that afternoon. He flashed a warm smile while extending his arm for a handshake. The former Cleveland Cavaliers coach and current Canadian men’s basketball team consultant is in a fight the medical community says he can’t win. So there’s something quite powerful about this pleasantry when he could have just stayed seated.

New York Times

“That’s the way you’ve gotta be, Sam,” Blatt, 65, said when I asked why he felt the need to stand. “That’s the way you’ve gotta be. That’s what this sport and this business has taught me. If you ain’t working, you ain’t living. And if you’re not trying to improve, then you’re going backward. That’s the only thing you can do.”

New York Times

But the truth is Blatt’s days on the sideline are over after the condition compelled him to step down as head coach of the Greek Olympiacos team in October 2019 and end a decorated coaching career that spanned nearly three decades. Blatt was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, a form of nerve and brain disorder that worsens over time. He does what he can to slow the effects — biannual infusions of a disease-modifying drug called Ocrevus, twice-daily medications that help with flexibility and mobility and a workout regimen that includes swimming, Pilates and stretching — but he has no misconceptions about what he’s up against.

New York Times

“I’m doing everything I can to slow the downward progression that this type of MS causes, but I’m not the same guy I was a year ago, physically,” Blatt said. “I want to believe I’m better mentally and stronger. I’m great mentally. But unfortunately, there is a downward spiral to this condition, and the question is, how long can you maintain and keep from becoming almost incapable of moving around the way that I have to move around, which allows me to travel freely and to come in and out of stadiums, one way or another? “I get a lot of help, thank goodness, from a lot of good people. And I do my best to physically maintain myself. But this disease, unfortunately, from a physical standpoint, has a shelf life. And the best that you can hope for until a cure is found, is to delay it. And that’s…”

New York Times

He paused. “That’s a challenge,” he continued. “That’s — that’s in my head. It’s in my mind, and it concerns me because I know that’s the reality. So I’ll stay with it as long as I can. And if I can’t, then guess what? I’m gonna find something else to do that keeps me engaged and involved, and most importantly, fulfilled.”

New York Times

However, there is one player who bridges the gap between the new and older generations, displaying excellence on and off the court, even at 39. This mainstay of Team USA continues to inspire. "I did. I did," responded Blatt, who coached LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014 to 2016, when asked if he watched the USA vs. Serbia game. And how does it feel to watch this player perform at such a high level at his age? "Amazement. And respect. And appreciation. That he can continue doing what he does at this level with such enthusiasm, effort, and commitment. It's, you know... it's really unbelievable. It really is. Respect, respect."

BasketNews

David Blatt, who consults both the Tel Aviv club and the Canadian national team, is currently in Paris for the Olympic Games, providing advice to Jordi Fernandez, who led the Canadians to the bronze podium at last year's World Championship. Brooklyn Nets head coach Fernandez calls Blatt his guardian angel. Since 2020, Blatt has been working as a consultant for the national team, sending messages with his observations to Fernandez during games and offering his insights from the sidelines. "I really predict a great [NBA] future for him. He stepped into a situation that allows him to develop and grow the program," Blatt spoke of Fernandez's head coaching potential in the NBA.

BasketNews

"One of the reasons I strongly recommended him is not only because we've known each other for years but also because his European background fits well with the evolving NBA landscape. The NBA is increasingly appreciative of and aligned with the European style of play," added Blatt. "He fits that very well. He's a great communicator and a relationship guy, and that's going to help him a lot in his new role."

BasketNews

"I did. I did," responded Blatt, who coached LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014 to 2016, when asked if he watched the USA vs. Serbia game. And how does it feel to watch this player perform at such a high level at his age? "Amazement. And respect. And appreciation. That he can continue doing what he does at this level with such enthusiasm, effort, and commitment. It's, you know... it's really unbelievable. It really is. Respect, respect."

BasketNews

Jorge Sierra: Best record by NBA head coaches dismissed in-season David Blatt (Cavs in 2015-16): 73.2% Jack McKinney (Lakers in 1979-80): 71.4% ADRIAN GRIFFIN (Bucks in 2023-24): 69.8% Cavs and Lakers won the title after making that coaching change. Bucks 2024 champions confirmed. pic.twitter.com/oeOZyLrQV3

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Per Blatt, this is not just an internal conflict but something much bigger that may affect the whole world. As he said: “United we stand, divided we fall. I wish you all the courage and the strength to overcome our pain and our enemies. Now is not the time to play the blame game or to fight internal political battles. We have immediate and bigger challenges. Our children and our parents and our brothers and sisters are being held hostage. Our fathers, mothers, grandparents, and friends have been slaughtered in the streets and their homes.

EuroHoops.net

Canada national team head coach Jordi Fernandez just won the bronze medal after he and his team defeated Team USA in the 3rd-place game, but the 40-year-old tactician had one special person to thank. "I want to thank two special people to me: one is my wife Kelsie, and thank to coach David Blatt. I'm sure you guys are familiar with him. He is like my angel and always there for me," Fernandez said during the post-game conference.

BasketNews

Eurohoops: Legendary David Blatt is in Jakarta as a consultant for the Canadian national team and watching the US vs. Greece game during the practice #FIBAWC #WinforAll

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