Italy - Blatt:'I won't go to the NBA just to be a poster boy'

From www.haaretz.com
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Israeli coach reaps praise after Treviso's Italian Cup win

While Pini Gershon is struggling at Olympiacos, his former assistant, Benetton Treviso coach David Blatt took his third title in his three years in Europe on Sunday night. After taking the EuroCup with St. Petersburg and the Italian championship with Treviso last year, he added the Italian Cup to his trophy cabinet with a 67-65 win over Virtus Bologna in the final.

The Italian media has dubbed him a "magician" and an "alchemist." Maccabi Tel Aviv can only look on in envy.

"We came into the final as the underdog, but sometimes that works to your advantage as it takes off the pressure," Blatt told Haaretz yesterday. "It's a great feeling, because it was a title we didn't expect to take. We beat three teams, including an unforgettable win over Siena. Against Bologna we came into the game physically exhausted after three straight games and played in front of 8,500 of their fans."

Among those watching Sunday's game was Toronto Raptor's vice-president of basketball operations Maurizio Gherardini, who was Treviso's GM last year and was responsible for bringing Blatt to the team.

Gherardini has nothing but praise for Blatt. "The situations in which he managed to take titles in Russia and Italy, together with his achievements at Maccabi Tel Aviv place him without a doubt in the top tier of European coaches. David is among the very best coaches in Europe. His whole future is ahead of him and he will be able to coach wherever he wants."

While Gherardini is not willing to say whether he would like to see Blatt at Toronto, he says that Blatt has what it takes to coach in the NBA.

"David has all the tools to succeed ... He can reach the NBA, but to get their he will need the right timing; having the right qualities as a coach isn't enough."

Gherardini believes that Blatt's philosophy, especially in defense, is what makes the difference.

"He has a unique way of playing basketball and he is outstanding in his defensive methods. That is the reason that Treviso beat Bologna. David is the key.

"After losing so many players no one thought that Benetton would be where it is today - in the Euroleague Top 16 and that it would win the Cup. David deserves all the credit."

Blatt plays down his warm connections in Toronto. "I know a lot of players there that have coaches and managers that I have worked with, but beyond that my chances of working there are no greater than with any other team. I know a lot of people in the NBA, like New York Knicks president Steve Mills - a good friend of mine from Princeton - but that doesn't guarantee me anything. I'm not chasing after it [a job in the NBA] and it will only be relevant if I am offered a role that can suit me.

"I won't go to the NBA just to be a poster boy. I don't want to go just to say I am the first Israeli in the NBA. I received offers in the past, but for positions that I didn't see as been satisfactory for me.

"I am at a stage in my career where only a proposition that will satisfy me professionally and financially will lead me to the NBA."

So you will only go as a head coach? "Not necessarily because that isn't a realistic option."

Is Maccabi Tel Aviv an option?

"That isn't a fair or relevant question."