Since firing David Blatt, the Cavs are 4-1, including a blowout win over the Spurs on Saturday that turned heads all over the league. They seem to be a different team—Kevin Love in particular has looked transformed.
It’s not just the coaching change that did the trick, according to a new report. The team held a players-only meeting following Blatt’s dismissal, where they hashed out all of their issues.
From ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe and Brian Windhorst:Following a meeting called by general manager David Griffin to inform the team coach David Blatt had been fired, Cavs players held an extended and spirited players-only meeting, sources told ESPN.com. It turned into an airing of grievances for players including stars LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving but eventually led to an agreement that has been a basis for the Cavs recent strong play.
“It was like ripping off a scab,” one team source said. “And it was exactly what needed to happen, I think it was what [Griffin] was hoping for.”
“It was very healthy for the team,” another source said. “It probably needed to happen weeks ago.”It had been obvious in the weeks leading up to Blatt’s firing that something was off with the Cavs, even though they had the best record in the Eastern Conference. Love in particular was struggling to find a consistent role in the offense. All of that has changed, and if this sticks, it could make the Cavs much more dangerous to a team like the Spurs or Warriors in the Finals.