David Blatt appears to have ended speculation over his future after leading Cleveland Cavaliers to 11 consecutive victories in the NBA.
The team’s latest victory, a 97-84 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, has helped silence Blatt’s critics. The Israeli had been under intense pressure following nine defeats in 10 matches.
Blatt had reportedly lost the dressing room and inside sources said the Cavs had decided to sack the Israeli at the end of the season.
Most pundits felt that the step up from European basketball was too steep for the former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach.
But the last month has seen a remarkable turn-around in the Cavs’ fortunes. Placed fifth in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, the Cavs are virtually assured a place in April’s top-eight play-offs.
Blatt was at the centre of a high profile incident in December in which star player LeBron James pushed the coach away when arguing with the referee, which, at the time, summed up the Israeli’s plight. But Blatt has now earned credit for tweaking tactics and bringing in new defenders.
Blatt said: "I've a long way to go to beat the 58 game winning streak I had as a player at my high school in Framingham, Massachusetts."