As the shockwaves reverberate from the Cleveland Cavaliers’ stunning decision to fire head coach David Blatt on Friday, more details are beginning to trickle in as to how much of a ticking time bomb the situation really was.
According to a report by longtime NBA analyst Peter Vecsey, Blatt told friends in Israel last week, “It’s either me or Kevin Love.”
David Blatt told friends in Israel last week, "It's either me or Kevin Love." Just surprised LeBron didn't decide sooner…
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) January 22, 2016
Such a statement would seem to indicate that Blatt knew a big-time shakeup was imminent in Cleveland, and that he might indeed be the one out of a job.
It’s no state secret that Blatt utterly failed to properly utilize Love’s talents during his tenure as the Cavs head coach. Under Blatt, the three-time All-Star was little more than a glorified spot-up shooter, particularly when Kyrie Irving was healthy enough to play. Especially recently, Love looked so lost in Cleveland that it became a legitimate question as to if the team would have to trade him away (as even the Cavs players themselves apparently thought).
But it was Blatt that ultimately fell on the proverbial knife, and now we will see if new head honcho Tyronn Lue is better able to maximize Love’s role in the offense.
Image Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
H/T NBA Reddit
