Why Was Winning Cavaliers Coach David Blatt Fired?

ט״ו לחודש האחד עשר תשע״ו

Tu b'Shvat 5776

JPost.com: Dream Ends as Cleveland Cavaliers Fire Blatt
Allon Sinai, January 22, 2016

Blatt, who moved to Israel more than 30 years ago after playing for the USA basketball team in the 1981 Maccabiah, surprisingly was appointed head coach of the Cavs in 2014.

The dream came to an abrupt end for David Blatt on Friday as the 56-year-old American-Israeli coach was sacked by the Cleveland Cavaliers, despite leading the franchise to the 2015 NBA Finals and the best record in the Eastern Conference so far this season. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

David Blatt

Well, regardless what you think about Hellenist, competitive sports, and whether we like it or not, many Jews will be able to get the message embedded in this story, more readily, than a direct, Torah one.

Whether David Blatt's firing was due to LeBron James's assertion of his prima donna power, or the same ol' boring Jew-hatred, many American Jews make a habit of ignoring, it doesn't matter. David Blatt, like all other Jews need to be in Eretz Yisra'el (the Land of Israel).

Just over a year ago, the U. S. State Department reared the ugly head of its double standards toward professional athletes from Israel.

Marginally right-wing, Minster of Culture and Sport Miri Regev (Likud), whom I have previously praised on this sit, disappoints us with her comments in support of Blatt...

David there is no doubt that you will still make a magnificent career in the NBA. You should know that there is an entire country here that is behind you that loves you and supports you. Have a good week, and [may we hear] only good news.

She should have encouraged him to come home, and to return to coaching here in Israel. As Minister of Sport, one would think that her position would include the encouragement, even the recruitment, of the best and brightest sports stars, not to mention [former] aliyah role models. Instead she takes the "NBA is the best, so go for it" tact.

Well, at least she posted in Hebrew. Small consolation.

Another person of notoriety to opine with his two cents, whether we like it or not, was U. S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro (left).

Listen, Dan, we'll be interested in your opinion on sports (or anything else for that matter), only when you finally start playing for your own team.