Report: Cavaliers fear disconnect between David Blatt, players

The Cleveland Cavaliers organization is concerned about "coach David Blatt and his ability to reach the team."

The Cleveland Cavaliers are concerned about "coach David Blatt and his ability to reach the team," according to a report from ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein. 

The Cavs' perceived lack of effort is "raising the volume of questions about just how much the locker room is listening to [Blatt]," the report says, and many players would rather confer with assistant Tyronn Lue.

• LeBron James on Cavaliers: 'We're not a very good team'​

Blatt told reporters Monday that he doesn't believe he is having trouble communicating with the team.

Blatt on if he still has the Cavs' attention: "Absolutely I do. We just didn't play well ... Don't think it was an issue outside of that"

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 29, 2014

Blatt was hired in June after a successful coaching career overseas, most recently with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he won three Israeli League titles. Blatt was hired before LeBron James decided to return to Cleveland, and James said recently that he did not ask Blatt for permission to take over as the team's primary ball handler during its eight-game winning streak.

"I'm happy with who we have at our helm," James said Monday, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Kyrie Irving also expressed support for Blatt Monday.

Kyrie Irving said he would "do anything for Coach Blatt." Afterwards, said w/in earshot: "I know exactly where those questions came from"

— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) December 29, 2014

The Cavaliers are 18-12 this season, and 5-5 after their eight-game winning streak ended earlier this month. They lost to the 7-23 Pistons, 103-80, on Sunday. 

Cleveland has also been dealing with injury issues. Starting center Anderson Varejao is out for the rest of the season with a torn Achilles and Irving, the team's starting point guard, missed the past two games with a knee injury. Irving is expected to return on Tuesday. 

- Dan Gartland