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BSL 11/06/2016, 17.30

David Blatt to Sportando: Darussafaka Dogus is building something special

The American-Israeli coach was in Treviso for the Adidas Eurocamp

BSL
David Blatt just finished a wonderful speech to an audience full of young talents that dream about the NBA. Here in Treviso at Adidas Eurocamp Blatt is feeling like home, he coached Benetton Treviso for two seasons and has wonderful memories about this place. We had the opportunity to sit with him for a quick chat, here's the result:

Sportando: First of all, coach, I've really enjoyed your speech. Talking about character and commitment, this is what young kids need to learn. Also your suggestion about not using Snapchat was great, many NBA players would need to understand that.
Blatt: Thanks for your kind words, and yes Snapchat it's really dangerous.

Sportando: You decided to come back in Europe to coach Darussafaka Dogus. Was it your first option or did you have NBA opportunities?
Blatt: I was in the USA in April and I had four interviews scheduled with NBA teams. But before that I had already talked with Dogus and their offer was very interesting for me. We reached an agreement and I said that I would have joined them, if I hadn't find anything in NBA. The offers from NBA weren't interesting, so I decided to take the job with Dogus. I had also other options in Europe but Dogus was the best for me. They're trying to build something special.

Sportando: There are reports about huge budget, around 30 mln euros. It's that true?
Blatt: I think it's a little bit too much, media always say something but it's not necessarily the truth.

Sportando: Have you already thought about some player in particular?
Blatt: We're working daily with Demirel, we need players with great character and ambition to bring this team to the top.

Sportando: Talking about your experience in Cleveland. You reached the Finals in your first season and then you were fired the next year when the team was at the top of Eastern Conference. Do you think that the treatment that Cavs gave to you was unfair?
Blatt: It doesn't matter, it is what it is. My only regret is that I didn't have the opportunity to play with a full roster in the Finals. Love and Irving were injured and I didn't have guys like Jefferson or Frye that could have contributed from the bench. That's my only regret.

Sportando: Do you have good memories about your time in Treviso?
Blatt: I really do. I haven't been here for years but when I came back, the emotions were unbelievable. I spent a very good time here. The organization of Benetton was amazing. Ghirardini, Foschi, a lot of great players from Bargnani to Soragna and Zisis. What an amazing time, I really loved my time here and feels good to be back in Treviso.
O. Cauchi

O. Cauchi

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Comments You must be registered to post a comment 19 Comments
  • WeAreMaccabi 17/06/2016, 14.40

    That is problematic issue - on one hand, the EL wish to metain its position as the top European competition, saying actually the winning team is the 'European champion', therefore it can not actually continue with narrow format of 16 teams only, especially while most of those are 'secured' without relevancy to their sportive results on their domestic league... so they have to enwiden the format and open fair opportunity to additional clubs who won titles - second point, if they stay with 16 teams only that league would lose its legitimacy as it actually blocks other clubs for building tradition & legacy - third point, having those same 16 teams only for long without fresh rivals, will become boring to the media & fans themselves, thereafter damage the commercial concept here, so all together,
    they will have to open up, either 24 0r 32 teams, there are enough good teams to join... NBA has also 30 teams at first stage, not all are indeed 'interesting'...

  • baris1907 15/06/2016, 17.28
    Quote ( WeAreMaccabi 15/06/2016 @ 17:05 )

    Practical view for a change, nice !! I had long discussion here with courgette regarding the importance of finencial stability and commercial aspects which are integral part of public & fan interest with sport nowdays, trying to explain the sign ...

    But if they make format with 24 or 32 teams it would reduce Euroleague's reputation. Because nobody wants to watch teams such sassari vs zieolona gora. There would be many weak teams. So they intend to focus around big teams. Because people want to watch cska vs oly or real vs barca etc. So that matches are important to increase Euroleague's reputation and for advertising things

  • WeAreMaccabi 15/06/2016, 17.05
    Quote ( Gagarin 14/06/2016 @ 12:30 )

    Euroleague values financial stability of the teams and their capacity to invest in the future. Partizan was a Final4 contender just a couple of years ago nad now they are on the verge of bankruptcy. Kuban was the underdog this year. However, they hav ...

    Practical view for a change, nice !!
    I had long discussion here with courgette regarding the importance of finencial stability and commercial aspects which are integral part of public & fan interest with sport nowdays, trying to explain the significant role of EL powerhouse such as Real, CSKA, Maccabi, PAO, Milano which 'earned' their EL place as of true European legacy and must be in EL even in case of tough season here and there (as any club may go through from time to time)...
    The only point I disagree with you is regarding Darussafaka - with all due respect to the money they intend to invest, such club with no sportive achievments at all should not be favorated over other known clubs who won actual titles (and there are many other candidates that could effort EL budget !) especially when there is only single position left this year (which is hedious by itself...)
    If EL wish to extend public interest, push forward additional leading clubs, and gain their 'European basketball Championship league' position, my view is they have to return to 32 teams format (by first stage or either perliminar elimination of 8 teams that would lead to 24 teams league), while the licence A would be limited to 8~10 teams only, that way all actual domestic or arial league champions would have the chance to join the competition and establish their own position with years to come.

  • Gagarin 14/06/2016, 12.30
    Quote ( courgette 12/06/2016 @ 22:06 )

    I agree, this is completely unfair. So far I know, no other sport accepts something like that. And we don't even talk the fact that referees are paid by Euroleague (Commercial Assets and Properties SA), which is owned by some of the clubs playing it. ...

    Euroleague values financial stability of the teams and their capacity to invest in the future. Partizan was a Final4 contender just a couple of years ago nad now they are on the verge of bankruptcy. Kuban was the underdog this year. However, they have been dominated by Khimki in VTB finals. A good team should see the finals in VTB just to prove that their success is not coincidence. Anyway, Dogus was the right choice for the wildcard. Teams like Maccabi and Milano are legends of the basketball so they must be in EL.
    In conclusion, Courgette, your old-fashion vision belongs to 90's. You just have to update yourself if it is possible. Your opinions are sounding to me like the boring days of cold war...

  • baris1907 12/06/2016, 22.15
    Quote ( courgette 12/06/2016 @ 22:06 )

    I agree, this is completely unfair. So far I know, no other sport accepts something like that. And we don't even talk the fact that referees are paid by Euroleague (Commercial Assets and Properties SA), which is owned by some of the clubs playing it. ...

    Yes i hate this too. Everyone saw at the final match when a vtb league referee rules vtb league team's match.

  • courgette 12/06/2016, 22.06
    Quote ( baris1907 12/06/2016 @ 21:45 )

    But is that fair? Kuban played F4 but they will be in Eurocup. Maccabi Milano Zalgiris did almost nothing but they will be in Euroleague. I think teams need to be deserved it on the court

    I agree, this is completely unfair. So far I know, no other sport accepts something like that. And we don't even talk the fact that referees are paid by Euroleague (Commercial Assets and Properties SA), which is owned by some of the clubs playing it...

  • baris1907 12/06/2016, 21.45
    Quote ( courgette 12/06/2016 @ 21:36 )

    Most of them don't earn nothing, they just own Euroleague (Commercial Assets and Properties SA), they ARE Euroleague (Commercial Assets and Properties SA). In the case of Darussafaka, their name sponsor (Dogus) is also a sponsor of Euroleague (Commer ...

    But is that fair? Kuban played F4 but they will be in Eurocup. Maccabi Milano Zalgiris did almost nothing but they will be in Euroleague. I think teams need to be deserved it on the court

  • courgette 12/06/2016, 21.36
    Quote ( baris1907 12/06/2016 @ 21:18 )

    I'm asking how do clubs earn to participate EL? and what did Dacka do to participate there?

    Most of them don't earn nothing, they just own Euroleague (Commercial Assets and Properties SA), they ARE Euroleague (Commercial Assets and Properties SA). In the case of Darussafaka, their name sponsor (Dogus) is also a sponsor of Euroleague (Commercial Assets and Properties SA): Dogus litterally buy a place for the club by sponsoring the competition they want them into.

  • baris1907 12/06/2016, 21.18
    Quote ( courgette 12/06/2016 @ 20:55 )

    Qualifications earned on the court? Are you crazy? It's against the very idea of Euroleague (Commercial Assets and Properties SA). Clubs that own this company won't ever allow that to happen.

    I'm asking how do clubs earn to participate EL? and what did Dacka do to participate there?

  • courgette 12/06/2016, 20.55
    Quote ( baris1907 12/06/2016 @ 20:11 )

    First of all Euroleague format is based on money there is no so many teams who spend money as much as Dacka. So Euroleague will allow them to participate. But you are right they haven't earned anything yet and they should be earned. It's my opinion E ...

    Qualifications earned on the court? Are you crazy? It's against the very idea of Euroleague (Commercial Assets and Properties SA). Clubs that own this company won't ever allow that to happen.

  • baris1907 12/06/2016, 20.11
    Quote ( WeAreMaccabi 12/06/2016 @ 19:06 )

    It is nice they try to establish 'new legacy' in Istanbul, it is indeed respected they are willing to invest huge amounts of money for that, but when Euroleague format is so narrow with 16 teams only (even with 24...) Darussafaa should not be favorat ...

    First of all Euroleague format is based on money there is no so many teams who spend money as much as Dacka. So Euroleague will allow them to participate. But you are right they haven't earned anything yet and they should be earned. It's my opinion EL should be with 20 teams and last 4 teams of regular season should be downed to Eurocup and final 4 teams of Eurocup should raise to Euroleague so that, teams would be earned and they can be permanantly in Euroleague with right.

  • WeAreMaccabi 12/06/2016, 19.06

    It is nice they try to establish 'new legacy' in Istanbul, it is indeed respected they are willing to invest huge amounts of money for that, but when Euroleague format is so narrow with 16 teams only (even with 24...) Darussafaa should not be favorated over other known clubs having already some history, legacy, fans that has earned the right to qualify (or even try to qualify...) threw winning sportive title... there is logical basis to secure the few clubs with real european legacy (I would say 6 to 8 maximum...) but EL can not ignore or deny the option to qualify as of sportive achievements, especially with such club with no history neither any title won... that's my view at least (-:

  • baris1907 12/06/2016, 18.15
    Quote ( WeAreMaccabi 12/06/2016 @ 17:49 )

    Thats why I said Blatt stories are funny... what 'building' exactly could he do in only 1 year ? more like 'buying' under his 'golden parachute' at Dogos... coach at his scale should have gone to any top Euroleague club, especially when some of the b ...

    You have right side but i think Blatt took guarantee from them as long as Blatt is there Dacka will have high budget also Dogus Group is trying to build a new basketball culture like Anadolu Efes

  • WeAreMaccabi 12/06/2016, 17.49
    Quote ( baris1907 12/06/2016 @ 17:00 )

    Euroleague's format likely will change next year if darussafaka won't participate to euroleague they wouldn't bring blatt

    Thats why I said Blatt stories are funny... what 'building' exactly could he do in only 1 year ? more like 'buying' under his 'golden parachute' at Dogos... coach at his scale should have gone to any top Euroleague club, especially when some of the best are looking for coach... but then there are some expectations.... EL format may change a bit next year, the question is if Dogos would be there without the money...

  • baris1907 12/06/2016, 17.00
    Quote ( WeAreMaccabi 12/06/2016 @ 15:32 )

    'Building' is nice... though bit funny as Darussafaka has only one year Euroleague card, not to mention even that one was actually 'bought' for money without any sportive title rather any history...

    Euroleague's format likely will change next year if darussafaka won't participate to euroleague they wouldn't bring blatt

  • WeAreMaccabi 12/06/2016, 15.32

    'Building' is nice... though bit funny as Darussafaka has only one year Euroleague card, not to mention even that one was actually 'bought' for money without any sportive title rather any history...

  • baris1907 12/06/2016, 11.41
    Quote ( mlgpro420blazeit 11/06/2016 @ 19:57 )

    Next year's final four: * Efes * Fenerbahce * Galatsaray * Dogus I am not biased at all

    Final four of Turkish league

  • mlgpro420blazeit 11/06/2016, 19.57

    Next year's final four:


    * Efes
    * Fenerbahce
    * Galatsaray
    * Dogus


    I am not biased at all

  • BornTired 11/06/2016, 17.38 Mobile

    Ma qui sulla versione inglese non commenta mai nessuno? Ce boh, quelli che leggono in inglese non commentano o non sanno della possibilità di commentare?? Va beh torno nella italian version