Report: Cavaliers worried about how team is responding to Blatt

The task for David Blatt was always going to be a tough one, with the first year NBA head coach going from dominating Europe to taking on the expectations of a LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers team.

Thirty games into that first season, Blatt is already facing questions about losing the locker room.

Citing league sources, ESPN's Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst reported Monday that, "There is a growing level of worry within the Cleveland Cavaliers' organization," in regards to Blatt's ability to reach the team. The report adds that, "there is rising concern in team circles about the level of response Blatt is getting on the floor."

Following a disappointing 5-7 start to the season, the Cavs reeled off eight straight wins, but have gone just 5-5 over their last 10 games since, with their last three losses coming by a combined 62 points.

Sunday's loss, especially, was an embarrassment. The Cavs were blown out at home by a Detroit Pistons team that came into Cleveland with a 6-23 record. Blatt was asked after Sunday's game if he was worried about losing control of the team, to which he responded, "I'm more concerned with how we're playing."

Blatt responded to the report following Monday's practice.

"We didn't come out and win 18 games without there being respect or understanding or any of those things," Blatt added.

The Cavs have been without Anderson Varejao and Kyrie Irving for the last couple games - the former for the entire season. However, their defense has been poor and their efforts inconsistent throughout the year.

Cleveland is allowing 105.4 points per 100 possessions, the league's eighth-worst defensive mark. The team currently sits fifth place in the Eastern Conference at 18-12, 5.5 games behind the East-leading Toronto Raptors and three games behind the Central Division-leading Chicago Bulls.

James dismissed reports of a divide between Blatt and his players as media fodder, but he also didn't exactly give the ringing endorsement some were hoping for.

"I mean, he's our coach. What other coach do we have?" James said. "They put together a gameplan for us to go out and succeed every night."