This isn't exactly a shock since we speculated on it yesterday, but David Blatt is the new Head Coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers becoming the first sideline general to jump straight from the Euroleague (in this case Israel) to the NBA.
THIS JUST IN: Cavaliers have reached agreement to hire David Blatt as coach. Blatt coached last season in Israel. (via @ThePlainDealer)
More info coming soon.
Update: Blatt's deal is reportedly for three years with a fourth year team option.
Cavs and David Blatt have agreed on a 3-year deal with a 4th year team option for him to be coach, sources told ESPN.
For a quick breakdown of who Blatt is: he's a former Princeton point guard who played in Israel's Super League from 1981-93. Immediately after his playing days he became a coach, starting as an assistant before landing a head coaching gig (for some team you've never heard of, so why bother?) at age 34.
His accolades include: four Israeli League Coach of the Year Awards, six Israeli Cups, five Israeli League Championships and one Euroleague title (that being in 2014). He also coached Russia in the 2012 Olympics leading them to a Bronze Medal.
His ultimate goal was to become an NBA coach, and now (at 55 years old) he's getting his chance.Earlier he was linked to being a part of Steve Kerr's Golden State staff, but opted to seek a head coaching job.
Our only regret in the whole ordeal is that Andrew Bynum is no longer in Cleveland. We would've loved to see how he dealt with NBA divas after 33 years overseas.
[via ESPN]
