David Blatt to Sportando: Darussafaka Dogus is building something special
The American-Israeli coach was in Treviso for the Adidas Eurocamp
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.
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
@paxer89
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