By Semih Tuna/ stuna@eurohoops.net
Speaking to the Turkish TV channel “Tivibu Sport”, Blatt clearly stated that his personal goal this summer is his return to the NBA.
The former coach of the Cavs said when he was asked about the NBA rumors about him:“I also hear NBA rumors, too. Ama they are only rumors. As of yet, I haven’t talked with anyone or any team. NBA teams start these kinds of processes at the very end of regular season. Through the end of it, the thinking process begins but when the regular season ends for non-playoff teams, the recruiting process accelerates. I haven’t received an offer from anyone. I am hoping, too. I said this last summer when there were no oppenings for an NBA coaching opportunity. I wanted to get a position in the NBA again when this season ends. I want to try the NBA one more time. If it happens, I would be thrilled. If it does not, I would still be thrilled because I am still in Europe where I am comfortable and happy.”
Speaking about his team, Blatt added: “With our general manager Mithat Demirel and our staff this season we decided to gather lesser known, relatively less expensive, hungry players who have a need to prove themselves on the bigger stage. As I said before, we committed to excellence as staff and players. And it has been very fulfilling. Because we succedded. Had we not been able to do that or not have those players, this could have been a very disappointing season. But we breathe what we live. We try to do the job we want to do every day. I am happy.”
Blatt’s opponent in the EuroCup final, Lokomotiv Kuban, has not yet lost a game in the competition this season. Blatt sees that as a challenge: “Lokomotiv Kuban is a very deep team. They have quality players in all twelve spots on their roster. And they play basketball accordingly. They use their different players with different line ups. Their quality does not drop even if they use 8-9 or 11-12 players dramatically. They are really experienced. They have really good coaching. Their confidence is really high because of their monster streak. They are a really serious opponent. If we want to succeed, we have to play our A-game. They had a tremendous season. They are the dominant team in the EuroCup. But I am going to say what I told to my players, too: They haven’t played with us, yet“.