News » Blatt was charming

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Like most kids growing up near Boston, David Blatt lived and breathed the Celtics. Cheap Texas Jerseys Authentic . They were his team, the only team. Pressing a transistor radio against his ear, Blatt listened as legendary announcer Johnny Most described how Bill Russell grabbed rebounds and when John Havlicek "stole the ball!" At an early age, he was hooked on hoops. "I kind of had that NBA dream in my ear and in my heart," Blatt said. And now, its back in his life. Blatt was introduced Wednesday as the new coach of the Cavaliers, a team in transition as it prepares to select first in the NBA draft and make a strong run at LeBron James, the soon-to-be free agent who has several other teams making moves to try and get him. Blatt spent the past two decades in Israel, where he developed into a top international coach. Now, after winning numerous titles across Europe and guiding Russia to a bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics, Blatt is ready to take on the challenge of coaching on pro basketballs biggest stage. It was time to make the jump, and the Cavs helped Blatts overseas leap. "Absolutely its a challenge," Blatt said of his upcoming transition. "But Ive got to tell you, the game is not so different as people think it is. Its a little bit longer here. Perhaps the level of athleticism and speed all around the court is different. But its not like playing baseball and soccer. Its still the same game." Blatt isnt hung up on labels or perceptions. He doesnt consider himself an Israeli coach, European coach or any type for that matter. He doesnt favouroffence over defence. "Im a basketball coach," he said, "someone who through teaching and working with people and getting the most out of my players and staff has always seen the success of the team as paramount." The Cavaliers spent nearly six weeks looking for their third coach in three years before hiring Blatt, who recently resigned as coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv, a squad he led to this years Euroleague title. Cavs general manager David Griffin said Blatt was one of "five or six" candidates who had full-blown interviews and the club contacted as many as 11 coaches. "Hes truly the embodiment of every characteristic we most sought in a coach," Griffin said. "Hes a guy who has passion, creativity and intelligence. As a coach, hes able to adjust in ways that make him special because of those things. He lives those things as a man as well. Because of all that, the players all feel him in a very powerful way. David is an authentic leader." The team hired finalist Tyronn Lue as an associate head coach under Blatt. Blatt understands theres a responsibility that comes with being the first at anything. He believes other European coaches are as qualified to coach in the NBA, but hes the one getting the chance. "I know Im carrying the torch, and I hope like hell I dont drop it," he said. "I dont plan to. It does mean a great deal." Blatt was charming, convincing and self-effacing during a 30-minute news conference at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Blatt said he had previous chances to come to the NBA, but the timing wasnt right. "Somebody told me the reason I did it is because I missed Boston lobster and macaroni and cheese," he cracked. "Theres something to that, honestly." Blatt is taking over a team that went 33-49 last season and underachieved for Mike Brown, who was fired on May 12, ending his second stint in Cleveland. Blatt believes the Cavs have the pieces to be a contender, and that its up to him to put them together. And that would be the case in any country. "I find a group of guys that want to be coached, that want to learn, that care about winning," he said. "Those are things I have to emphasize with them, that I have to strengthen and help them understand the right way to do it. "Ive coached enough great players in my life to know when guys are happy playing together and are seeing that doing it the right way brings and fosters the spirit you need to win, it doesnt make a difference where you coach." Blatt feels hes finally where he belongs. He had a great run overseas, but it was time to come back to where he started. It was time to come home. "I was happy and fulfilled in what I was doing," he said. "But I never, for a moment, lost the hope that I would come full circle and make my way back to the places where I grew up and to be part of something that was so much a part of me." Earl Campbell College Jersey . Ontario Superior Court Case Management Master Ronald Dash released the decision on Monday, saying John McCaw Jr. must testify in front of a jury by live video conference. Moores lawyer, Tim Danson, asked the court to compel McCaw - who is based in Seattle - to testify in the case back on February 27. Colt McCoy College Jersey . The young man, never lacking confidence, thought he could be really good. http://www.cheaptexasjerseys.com/?tag=texas-ricky-williams-college-jersey . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period.TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell was back at the teams practice facility Monday, less than 24 hours after he was carted off the field in San Francisco. The 6-foot-8, 300-pounder hopes to be cleared to play for Arizonas home against Seattle on Thursday night. Another test was scheduled for Monday. Campbell underwent tests at Stanford University for possible neck and spine injuries, and all results were favourable. He was released late Thursday and flew to Arizona in the plane of Cardinals President Michael Bidwill. He participated in the teams walk-through practice Monday and expressed no qualms about returning. "I feel pretty good now," he said. "Footballs my life. Im definitely looking forward to strapping it up and playing again." Coach Bruce Arians said Campbell bruised his spine, but Campbell said he wasnt exactly sure what was wrong. "It was scary for a second," he said. Teammate Sam Acho saw Campbell on Monday and tweeted: "Hes smiling and looking as good as ever." Meanwhile, 49ers owner Jed York criticized some of his teams fans for doing the wave while Campbell was down. He said in a tweet Sunday that to say he was "disappointed wouuld be an understatement. Throwback Texas Jerseys. ." Arizona linebacker Daryl Washington called the fans reaction "disrespectful." Campbell called it "not that big of a deal" and said all he heard were cheers of support. "When I got off the field I put my thumbs up," he said. "The crowd gave me a pretty good cheer. So I felt pretty good about that. I felt a lot of love coming off the field." The lineman said he was injured trying to make Frank Gore fumble. "I put my head down," Campbell said. "I got up with kind of like a stinger feeling, but it went all the way down to my feet." Medical personnel took no chances even though feeling began to return to his hands and feet while he was still down on his back. "I wanted to get up," Campbell said. "But they wanted to make sure nothing serious was wrong." He was strapped down so he couldnt move as he was taken off the field. Arians said hes seen a number of players carried off on a stretcher and was encouraged by Campbells reactions. "He was coherent and talking and you could see the fingers and feet starting to come back pretty fast, so I was very optimistic," Arians said. 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