Rookie coaches in Finals were nearly on same side (AFP)

Golden State's Steve Kerr and Cleveland's Dave Blatt, the first rookie coaches to meet in the NBA Finals since the first one in 1947, took paths through the Middle East to reach the sport's biggest stage. Kerr wanted Blatt on his coaching staff before Blatt was offered the top coaching post in Cleveland, taking it only a few weeks before superstar LeBron James decided to leave Miami and return to his hometown club, giving Blatt a superstar welcome to the world of the NBA.