INDEPENDENCE: The change began late last season, carried into the summer and is perhaps most evident now. David Blatt, the fiery coach who spent all of last year defending his resume and his place in the NBA, finally seems to have put the gloves away — at least temporarily.
It has only been a week, but Blatt’s disposition seems markedly different already compared to his first tour through the league. The coach who seemed to take everything personal and grew defensive at the simplest of questions appears more at ease, more willing to admit he didn’t know everything last season and more comfortable in his own skin.