David Blatt Feels Guilty for Letting Down 7 Million Israeli Fans

Photo: David Blatt

Israeli coach David Blatt is definitely feeling it after a painful loss in Game 4 of the NBA Finals last night.

In fact, Blatt specifically mentioned his guilt over the seven million Israeli viewers watching the game - after all, as Bibi Netanyahu said, all of Israel is rooting for Blatt's Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA championship this year with a victory over the Golden State Warriors.

The Cleveland Cavaliers faced a heart-wrenching home defeat at the hands of the Warriors. The final score was 103-82, evening up the series at 2-2. For Blatt, in his first year at the NBA, this came as a huge disappointment.

However, causing him even more grief than the Cavaliers’ loss were the millions of Israeli fans who stayed up to watch Game 4.

"That's a hell of a thing to have on your conscience all the time," was what Blatt had to say post-game, adding, "When I got seven million people waking up and then feeling bad all day because we didn't win, you know that's a heck of a thing to carry around all day."

Given Blatt’s Israeli background, the Israeli media has been keeping a close eye on his work, especially with the Finals. Considering Blatt’s work and success with Israeli basketball - having led Maccabi Tel Aviv to victoriously conquer the Euroleague championships - the Cavs' Game 4 loss came as a huge blow. Blatt blames his team’s poor performance on a lack of energy, due to tiredness.

“It was our third game in five days, including a fight from the west coast,” he said. “The pressure is influencing us. We are with a shorter rotation, and everyone needs to give more.”