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INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Like most kids growing up near Boston, David Blatt lived and breathed the Celtics. They were his team, the only team. Pressing a transistor radio against his ear, Blatt listened as legendary announcer Johnny Most described how Bill Russell grabbed rebounds and when John Havlicek "stole the ball!" At an early age, he was hooked on hoops. "I kind of had that NBA dream in my ear and in my heart," Blatt said. And now, its back in his life. Blatt was introduced Wednesday as the new coach of the Cavaliers, a team in transition as it prepares to select first in the NBA draft and make a strong run at LeBron James, the soon-to-be free agent who has several other teams making moves to try and get him. Blatt spent the past two decades in Israel, where he developed into a top international coach. Now, after winning numerous titles across Europe and guiding Russia to a bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics, Blatt is ready to take on the challenge of coaching on pro basketballs biggest stage. It was time to make the jump, and the Cavs helped Blatts overseas leap. "Absolutely its a challenge," Blatt said of his upcoming transition. "But Ive got to tell you, the game is not so different as people think it is. Its a little bit longer here. Perhaps the level of athleticism and speed all around the court is different. But its not like playing baseball and soccer. Its still the same game." Blatt isnt hung up on labels or perceptions. He doesnt consider himself an Israeli coach, European coach or any type for that matter. He doesnt favouroffence over defence. "Im a basketball coach," he said, "someone who through teaching and working with people and getting the most out of my players and staff has always seen the success of the team as paramount." The Cavaliers spent nearly six weeks looking for their third coach in three years before hiring Blatt, who recently resigned as coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv, a squad he led to this years Euroleague title. Cavs general manager David Griffin said Blatt was one of "five or six" candidates who had full-blown interviews and the club contacted as many as 11 coaches. "Hes truly the embodiment of every characteristic we most sought in a coach," Griffin said. "Hes a guy who has passion, creativity and intelligence. As a coach, hes able to adjust in ways that make him special because of those things. He lives those things as a man as well. Because of all that, the players all feel him in a very powerful way. David is an authentic leader." The team hired finalist Tyronn Lue as an associate head coach under Blatt. Blatt understands theres a responsibility that comes with being the first at anything. He believes other European coaches are as qualified to coach in the NBA, but hes the one getting the chance. "I know Im carrying the torch, and I hope like hell I dont drop it," he said. "I dont plan to. It does mean a great deal." Blatt was charming, convincing and self-effacing during a 30-minute news conference at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Blatt said he had previous chances to come to the NBA, but the timing wasnt right. "Somebody told me the reason I did it is because I missed Boston lobster and macaroni and cheese," he cracked. "Theres something to that, honestly." Blatt is taking over a team that went 33-49 last season and underachieved for Mike Brown, who was fired on May 12, ending his second stint in Cleveland. Blatt believes the Cavs have the pieces to be a contender, and that its up to him to put them together. And that would be the case in any country. "I find a group of guys that want to be coached, that want to learn, that care about winning," he said. "Those are things I have to emphasize with them, that I have to strengthen and help them understand the right way to do it. "Ive coached enough great players in my life to know when guys are happy playing together and are seeing that doing it the right way brings and fosters the spirit you need to win, it doesnt make a difference where you coach." Blatt feels hes finally where he belongs. He had a great run overseas, but it was time to come back to where he started. It was time to come home. "I was happy and fulfilled in what I was doing," he said. "But I never, for a moment, lost the hope that I would come full circle and make my way back to the places where I grew up and to be part of something that was so much a part of me." Sam Darnold Jets Jersey . Thaddeus Young scored seven of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Evan Turner added 22 points, and the 76ers hung on for their first road win since Nov. 1, beating the depleted Los Angeles Lakers 111-104 on Sunday night. 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His best performance was in a 4-3 win over Montreal on Friday, where he posted a season-high three points (two goals, one assist), including the game-winning goal.TORONTO - For Scott Milanovich and the Toronto Argonauts, its the most important game of the 2014 season. The Argos (6-9) host their archrivals, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, in a crucial contest Saturday afternoon at Rogers Centre. The Ticats (7-8) would clinch the season series with a win and further enhance their chances of finishing first or second in the East and securing a home playoff game. Watch the Ticats vs. Argos game live today on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4 and TSN5 at 4pm et/1pm pt. You can also listen to the game live on Newstalk 1010 radio with coverage beginning at 3pm et. Toronto would claim the season series with a win and still control its ability to finish atop the East Division. The Argos would do so by finishing their regular season with victories over Hamilton, Montreal and Ottawa. A loss wouldnt eliminate the Argos from playoff contention but theyd need help to get in. Right now we still control our own destiny, Milanovich said following Fridays walkthrough at Rogers Centre. If we dont win this game, thats no longer the case. I know about the alternative but its not even something weve addressed. As of right now were focused on winning this game and going from there. Were not going to talk about that until we have to. Hamilton head coach/GM Kent Austin said while the contest is important, hes been careful not to over-emphasize that. Our guys understand the importance of this game, they know whats at stake, he said. Toronto does as well. We expect our guys to play well. Theyre pros, they need to be self-directed, self-motivated ... theres a value to finishing well. Not that motivation should be a problem. Motivation for these games is the easiest it gets because its real, they (players) know its real and theres no faking it, Milanovich said. Its usually like the Week 6 game before youre going on a bye where youre trying to find something to get them up for a game that maybe is a little bit harder to do. That wont be a problem (Saturday). The previous Toronto-Hamilton matchups this season have been very close affairs. Hamilton nipped Toronto 13-12 on Sept. 1 in its first-ever game at Tim Hortons Field before the Argos erased a 17-point deficit by outscoring the Ticats 21-3 in the fourth quarter for an exciting 34-33 victory Oct. 10 at Rogers Centre. Ricky Ray threw a 69-yard TD strike to Chad Owens with under a minute remaining in the Argos win. Running back Nic Grigsby, who signed with Hamilton this week after being released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, will play Saturday. Grigsby is tied for the CFL lead in touchdowns (nine) and is fourth overall in rushing (744 yards). He can run, hes a threat out of the backfield as a receiver, which is important in our offence, and I think hes a better blocker than his reputation was coming to us, Austin said. I think thhe guy is a complete player but hes like everybody else, he has to seize this opportunity and play well.dddddddddddd We need him to play at a high level. Milanovich said Torontos defence must account for Grigsby when hes on the field. I hope hes not too much of a factor but he is a dynamic football player, Milanovich said. If hes playing a lot and getting touches in space our guys are going to have to do a great job of understanding where their help is ... and forcing him into gang tackling because hes a very difficult man to take down one-on-one in the open field. Hamilton will be without defensive tackle Ted Laurent (personal commitment) and slotback Andy Fantuz (hamstring), who has a team-high 62 catches for 639 yards and three TDs. Andy has had, it seems like, big games against us the last two years, Milanovich said. Hopefully hes doing OK but Im not sorry he wont be dressing (Saturday). Ive always respected Ted. If you single-block him and he chooses to just run through you he can really press your guards or centre back into your quarterback, which makes it difficult for a quarterback. Fantuz has 48 catches for 547 yards and two TDs in Hamiltons last six games against Toronto. The Ticats are 2-6 overall without Fantuz in the lineup. Toronto is without right tackle Chris Van Zeyl (thumb), defensive back Evan McCullough (unspecified), safety Matt Black (forearm) and defensive lineman Dexter Davis (foot), all of whom played in last weekends 20-12 loss to Montreal. Running back Curtis Steele (ribs) is doubtful. American Jarriel King replaces Van Zeyl, a native of Fonthill, Ont. But Van Zeyls absence means a Canadian must start elsewhere and Torontos depth chart listed Ivan Brown, a five-year veteran defensive lineman from Saskatchewan, and Thomas Miles, a rookie linebacker from Manitoba, as defensive starters. Jarriel will do the job and do it well, Milanovich said. We do believe Chris is one of the best tackles in the league but hes become a leader and almost a calming influence. Losing him is a bit of a factor because it changes the ratio. On Oct. 10, Hamiltons special teams were dominant with 226 total return yards. Former Argo Terrell Sinkfield had five kickoff returns for 148 yards and two punt returns for 62 yards, including one for 51 yards. Its been a point of emphasis, Milanovich said. Its like a playoff game, right? After turnovers, it comes down to field position and those hidden yards. Its something weve concentrated on. Notes: Toronto signed Black to a contract extension through the 2016 season Friday. Hes in his sixth season with the Argos after being taken in the sixth round of the 08 CFL draft from Saginaw Valley State. The Toronto native was a member of the Argos squad that won the 100th Grey Cup game in November 2012 at Rogers Centre. ' ' '