The Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled for much of the season, and there appears to be a growing discord between first-year coach David Blatt and the players. A report from ESPN's Brian Windhorst indicated there're signs of anarchy on the team, with players running different plays on the court and openly talking to opponents about issues regarding Blatt's coaching.
When a team underachieves and is in a rut, there's always talk about behind-the-scene problems. Cleveland has a 19-20 record, has won only once in their last 10 games and is on a six-game losing streak. There were reports of discord between Blatt and his players earlier in the season, and Windhorst's latest report indicates things have only gotten worse.
"(League scouts, executives and rival players see Cavaliers players) appearing to run different plays than the bench calls, see assistant coach Tyronn Lue calling timeouts literally behind Blatt's back during games, and hear Cavs players openly talking about coaching issues with opposing players and personnel," Windhorst wrote Wednesday. "Not once, not twice, but frequently over the past several months."
Windhorst also offered this anecdote: "For weeks now, the small talk when league personnel run into each other at college games, airports or pregame meals has frequently started with: 'What the hell is going on in Cleveland?'"
While reports of tension between Blatt and his players could be exaggerated, incidents like LeBron James shoving Blatt aside during a referee spat don't help the perception that things are going awry in Cleveland.
Cavaliers general manager David Griffin reassured the public earlier this season that the front office was committed to Blatt, but no team is going to openly say their coach is on the hot seat.
One positive for Cleveland is the return of James, who missed eight straight games before returning to the lineup Tuesday in a 107-100 loss at Phoenix.
