The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a roller coaster season, filled with plenty of drama, mid-season trades, and struggles. Just recently, Head Coach Tyronn Lue and LeBron James got into a heated argument over a missed defensive assignment by James. The inconsistency and lack of defensive effort has been frustrating the Cavaliers all season long. They don’t look like a championship-caliber team with under a month left in the playoffs, and it has gotten even worse.
Tyronn Lue is stepping away from Cavs
On Monday morning, the Cavaliers announced that head coach Tyronn Lue will take a leave of absence from the team due to health issues.
Although the plan is for Lue to return next week, he should be considered out indefinitely until further notice.
“I have had chest pains and other troubling symptoms,” Lue told reporters.
“I think it’s probably well overdue,” LeBron told reporters. “Understanding what he’s been going through throughout the season, so obviously health is the most important with everything in life, so I’m not surprised by it at all.” (USA Today).
Since it has been a frustrating season, it’s understandable that all the stress has given Lue trouble. It hasn’t been easy coaching a team that is supposed to be Finals-bound once again. During Lue’s absence, Larry Drew will take over coaching duties. Drew has plenty of head coaching experience, as he led the Atlanta Hawks to the playoffs from 2010 to 2013.
He also had a short, one-year stint in Milwaukee. Lue’s exact condition is unclear at this moment, despite having multiple tests done. However, he left Saturday’s game against the Chicago Bulls after the first half due to his illness. He will stay away from the team so as not to be a distraction.
The road ahead for the Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have 13 games remaining on their schedule and may have to play most of them without Tyronn Lue on the sidelines. Fortunately for the Cavaliers, Kevin Love is getting very close to returning from injury, as he is considered questionable to play Monday evening against the Bucks.
However, Rodney Hood, Larry Nance Jr., Tristan Thompson, and Cedi Osman will continue to remain sidelined.
The Cavs are, nonetheless, in good shape to soon clinch a playoff spot. The Cavaliers will have to regroup and take it upon themselves to play better basketball for the sake of their head coach. They must show that they are ready to once again go deep into the playoffs.
