David Blatt

Cleveland Cavaliers' first-year head coach David Blatt has finalized his coaching staff.

(Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- David Blatt is a polarizing, embracing, personable figure. He doesn't mind cracking a few jokes, coming up with witty responses.

His pressers, with his charm, will keep you entertained and hanging on to his every word.

Despite the fact that this is an extremely pressurized position to be in for any coach, let alone a first-time NBA head coach, Blatt isn't allowing the high expectations of the situation to break his pleasant sense of humor.

At Media Day on Friday he made a reference to the classical hit song "Let's get it on," to describe his excitement level regarding the upcoming season.

He also jokingly claimed that he couldn't find a parking spot because of the multitude of media members that attended the event.

Today, Northeast Ohio Media Group asked him if he noticed a drastic difference conducting a full practice with NBA players opposed to the European players he coached for some time.

Blatt quickly responded, amusingly.

"Yeah, they're bigger, faster, stronger and jump higher," he said, followed by laughter from the media scrum.

It's a stark contrast to most young NBA coaches who feel they need to appear serious all the time to put on the appearance they're all business. As we all know, looking serious and being standoffish doesn't equate to being a good coach.

Blatt is being himself. He's doing things his own way and his superstar player says he's doing it the right way by not portraying to be something that he's not.

"Well, he shouldn't try to impress no one," James said after the first day of training camp. "People get caught up in trying to impress people instead of being yourself and who you are and what you stand for. He knows what he stands for. He knows what he's here to do and that's to lead us and for us to win ball games and that's all that should matter."

James has some humor, as well. He was asked if he could fathom the pressure Blatt must be feeling having to coach himself, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. James saw that question as a fastball right down the pipe.

"Or you can have the alternative and not have me, Kevin and Kyrie," James came back with cleverly, garnering some snickers. "So, it's going to be tough no matter what."

While Blatt's style and personality is a breath of fresh air, when practices are in session, James alludes to Blatt being stern.

"He is very efficient, " said James. "He doesn't like to repeat himself too much... I think everyone was attentive."

It's easy in this field to confuse cordial and lighthearted to being soft and ineffective. Nevertheless, I doubt Blatt cares much about that stuff. He's solely focused on doing his job to the best of his ability.

"I'm just a basketball coach," BIatt said. "I do it with passion and with pleasure. There are days that I'm one way and there are days that I'm another way and generally that's by design."

Thankfully the media hasn't seen that other side, yet. So far it's been all smiles. All endearment. You can tell Blatt is happy and proud to be part of this Cavaliers organization. He has accepted and embraces the challenge of leading this team to a title. He's just having a little fun on the way.

It's refreshing. Cheers to Blatt for doing it his way.