New York Knicks: Pros and Cons of Hiring David Blatt

Con: Unproven in the NBA?

The Cleveland Cavaliers achieved great success under David Blatt. In just a year-and-a-half, Blatt helped Cleveland reach the NBA Finals, win 50-plus games, and position themselves for a 60-win season in 2015-16.

Yet, not everyone is sold on his coaching—or that he was even coaching at all.

That may seem like a blasphemous statement, but it’s the narrative that’s been created by the national and local media. Blatt was often case aside as a pawn, rather than praised for his influence.

During an appearance on Bills Simmons’ podcast, LeBron James beat writer Brian Windhorst claimed that Blatt doesn’t coach the Cavaliers (h/t King James Gospel).

"The Princeton offense that David Blatt installed in the preseason, they just threw that out. What typically happens—and this has been happening for like three months now—is LeBron will take the ball, and LeBron will call the play. David Blatt will see what play LeBron calls, and he will repeat it to the team. That happens on a regular basis."

It’s a slap in Blatt’s face to say he didn’t coach the Cavaliers, but that appears to be the narrative.

If that proves to be true, it’d be tough to justify hiring Blatt to be the coach of a Knicks team that’s hungry to win right now. Blatt has achieved more on the international scene than someone who can’t coach would be capable of, but there is a measure of uncertainty about how that’ll translate to the NBA.

You know, if you ask people who aren’t coaches.

Next: Pro