Should Tyronn Lue Coach in the All-Star Game

The Cleveland Cavaliers record currently stands at 30-12, giving them a 2.5 game lead over the Toronto Raptors for first place in the Eastern conference.

If the Cavaliers remain in first place of the Eastern Conference by January 31st, head coach Tyronn Lue will be invited to coach the Eastern Conference during All-Star weekend, the NBA has confirmed. Lue, who was named the team’s head coach after the firing of David Blatt, would be accompanied by the rest of the Cavs coaching staff, excluding Blatt.

As Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal reported, Lue believes Blatt should be the coach of the Eastern Conference All-Stars since he led the Cavaliers to a 30-11 record before being fired. All things considered, it wouldn’t make sense for Blatt to coach in the All-Star game, and things would be very awkward between him and LeBron James.

Since Blatt is out of the equation, there are two options for who will be at the helm leading the Eastern conference All-Stars: Lue or Toronto Raptors head coach Dwyane Casey, who has led his team to a 28-15 record thus far.

Lue has been a member of the Cavaliers coaching staff all season, helping them reach their overall record of 30-12; however, he has only been the team’s head coach for one game now, a game in which the team lost to Central Division foe Chicago Bulls 96-83.

Many will argue that Lue hasn’t earned the opportunity to represent the Eastern Conference during All-Star weekend, respectfully. At the same time, Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton, who filled in for Steve Kerr while he was recovering from two offseason back surgeries, is still being considered to represent the Western Conference All-Stars, because Kerr has returned to the Warriors sideline.

By rule, All-Star coaches are determined by the conference’s best record. The exception to this, however, is when a coach and his staff earned the honor in the previous season. In this case, Kerr represented the West last season, so San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich would coach the Western conference All-Stars this season, even though Walton wasn’t technically the Warriors “head coach” last season.

For Lue, he has been part of a coaching staff that has led the Cavaliers to the top of the Eastern Conference. So, by rule, Lue and the rest of the Cavaliers coaching staff should represent the Eastern Conference in Toronto.

More from King James Gospel

• 3 possible starting lineups for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24
• The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
• 4 players the Cavaliers should pursue in 2024 free agency
• 6 players Cavaliers might replace Jarrett Allen with by the trade deadline
• This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead

If the Cavaliers coaching staff doesn’t coach the 2016 All-Star game, for whatever reason, Casey would most likely be called upon. The Raptors currently sit 2.5 games behind the Cavaliers for first place in the East. Unlike Lue, Casey has been leading his team all season, making him a reasonable candidate.

If you’re going by official NBA rules, Lue and the Cavaliers coaching staff will be coaching during All-Star weekend. However, if the most deserving coach were to be rewarded, Casey and the Raptors coaching staff will be on the sideline during the All-Star game.