Skip to content

David Blatt diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

NurPhoto / Getty

Former Cleveland Cavaliers and current Olympiacos head coach David Blatt has been diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, the 60-year-old wrote in a letter Monday.

"It is an autoimmune system disease that can and does in many ways change your quality of life and ability to do even the most basic of functions in ways that have always seemed normal to you," Blatt wrote.

He said he was diagnosed with the condition "a few months ago" and has experienced fatigue, weakness in his legs, and balance problems.

"When I got over the initial shock and pain of understanding how this would and could change my life from today going forward, I decided I wasn't giving in to anything," he wrote. "I was only going to adapt and adjust and find ways to continue my life as normally as possible. Τhe first thing I did was go back to my basketball coaching methodology of solving and overcoming difficulties (...) it's my three-step process. 1) What is the problem? 2) Why did it happen? 3) How do we fix it?"

Blatt said he has no plans to step aside from coaching.

"I am a coach and my job is to lead and teach and inspire a lot of people. Not being as agile or active doesn't affect my ability to do those things," he wrote. "I am fortunate. I have great doctors, trainers, physical therapists, and management that accept my disabilities and help me overcome."

Blatt is entering his second year as the coach of Greek squad Olympiacos. He compiled an 83-40 record in one-and-a-half seasons as coach of the Cavaliers before being fired midway through Cleveland's 2015-16 championship season.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox