David Blatt has served as a consultant for Canada's men's basketball team since 2020.Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
The Canadian men’s basketball team will begin its Olympic competition with a game against 14th-ranked Greece on Saturday. Expectations are high. The Canadians have not qualified for the Olympics since Sydney 2000. This time around, they have perhaps the most talented team in Canadian history. Anything short of a medal will be a disappointment.
Behind the scenes, this Canadian team has a secret weapon. David Blatt, one of the world’s most well-respected basketball minds and a former NBA head coach, has been working with the team as a consultant since 2020.
To some, Blatt’s involvement with the Canadian team might come as a surprise. His position with Canada Basketball hasn’t been all that well publicized. He was born in the United States and later also became an Israeli citizen, living most of his life in Israel. And, in 2018, Blatt was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, seemingly ending his basketball career.
“I was coaching a pro team in Greece and I started feeling some discomfort and weakness,” said Blatt. “Ultimately, I was diagnosed with MS. It’s most evident in my leg weakness and balance. The physical limitation prevented me from being able to stand on the court full-time and coach.”
His international experience is a major asset for Canada Basketball. Compared with the NBA, the international style of play is much different. International games are shorter, faster, more physical. There’s a more team-oriented style of play, with plenty of passing. It requires different offensive and defensive tactics.
Blatt is very familiar with this brand of basketball. He played professionally overseas for 12 years, before enjoying a 28-year coaching career, including a long tenure as the head coach of Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Israel; a seven-year stint with the Russian national team, which ended with a bronze medal at London 2012; not to mention his time coaching LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, highlighted by an appearance in the 2015 NBA Finals. He brings all of this experience to the Canadian squad.
The basketball legend will be with the Canadians at Paris 2024, supporting the team at every practice and game, getting around with the help of a wheelchair or crutches, using his extensive basketball experience to help Canada realize its potential.
“We have a very good team, with a strong set of principles that were put in place by coach Jordi Fernandez,” said Blatt. “We play pressure defence and a high-tempo, open-court style of play. The players that we chose for this team fit that style of basketball.”
As part of his role, Blatt was involved with building the roster for this team. NBA stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray will be leading the charge. Otherwise, this squad has role players aplenty, including defensive standouts Dillon Brooks and Lou Dort, plus experienced big men such as Kelly Olynyk and Dwight Powell.
So, how exactly did Blatt end up with Team Canada? It all started back in the 1990s, when Blatt first met Rowan Barrett, the current general manager of Canada Basketball. At the time, Blatt was coaching overseas and Barrett was playing professionally. Their teams played against one another. They couldn’t have known it at the time, but their paths would cross much later in life.
In 2018, when Barrett and Canada Basketball were looking to hire a new head coach, Blatt was a natural fit for the position. The interviews went well. Eventually, Barrett offered Blatt the job, but the coach had to turn it down because of his MS diagnosis. Then, in 2020, Barrett offered Blatt a consulting role, which has expanded his understanding of the sport.
“I’ve pretty much always loved the game, but now I appreciate it more, just because the on-court coaching was taken away from me. I’ve been challenged to see the game outside of the game, like team-building,” said Blatt. “It’s also helped me further my knowledge of the game. Working as a consultant, I’m not only telling people what I think, but I’m learning from them as well.”
Beyond putting the roster together, Blatt helps the coaches and professional staff with high-level planning, such as preparing for practice, exhibitions and tournaments. Before and after games, he’ll consult with the coaches on tactics. And during games, Blatt will sit near the bench, depending on accessibility in the arena, but he does his best not to interfere.
“The coaches do all of the specific planning, but I’m a resource for them in terms of gauging what’s effective, efficient or beneficial. If they ask my opinion, I happily offer advice,” said Blatt. “I don’t decide anything for the coaches. I’m simply a resource, a sounding board, an advisor, based on my extensive experience in the game.”
During pre-Olympic exhibition games, Canada Basketball put together a 2-1 record. After a loss to the No. 1-ranked United States, the Canadians defeated ninth-ranked France and 16th-ranked Puerto Rico. At Paris 2024, they’ll match up with Greece, followed by fifth-ranked Australia and second-ranked Spain. To be successful, according to Blatt, the team will always need to focus on winning the next game.
“If you’re judging the strength of each group, certainly, we drew the hardest group. But that’s okay, because down the line you have to play all of the better teams,” said Blatt. “It’s a very short tournament and each game is so important.”
Off the court, in the same way that his players need to take care of their bodies, Blatt adopted a similarly strict workout regimen, with the goal of slowing the effects of his disease. He tries to do something physical every day, whether it’s going in the pool, doing light weight work, stretching or pilates. The disease is limiting, admits Blatt, but he’s making the most of the situation.
“Things work out for the people who make the best of how things work out,” said Blatt. “I’m still in the game, still active, doing what I can to help others. And at the same time, it helps me to be engaged, enthusiastic and involved.”