CLEVELAND — Former Cavaliers coach David Blatt has accepted a championship ring from the team despite being fired last season.
Blatt was dismissed midway through his second season by Cleveland. The Cavs were 30-11 at the time he was replaced by assistant Tyronn Lue, who guided the Cavs to an historic comeback in the finals to capture the first major sports championship by a Cleveland team since 1964.
Blatt told Israel-based reporter David Pick that he accepted the ring from the Cavs “because they presented it to me in a way that was very respectful.” He said the Cavs told him that he contributed to the championship.
The Cavs confirmed that general manager David Griffin offered the ring to Blatt and he accepted.
One of Europe’s most celebrated coaches before he was hired in Cleveland, Blatt, now coaching in Turkey, went 83-40 in his tenure with the Cavs.
