Who’s The Cavs’ Lue?
New Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue was also an NBA player. It begs the question: Who’s the Cavs’ Lue?
Lue’s playing career doesn’t muster any great responses for those who saw him. Younger fans either don’t know he played in the NBA or know him from this famous Allen Iverson experience in the NBA Finals:
That has turned into a great meme across the internet world, including when Lue took over for David Blatt.
But Ty Lue was an interesting player in the NBA. Drafted in the 1st Round by the Denver Nuggets after playing for the basketball powerhouse (sarcasm) that is Nebraska, Lue was quickly traded to the LA Lakers. The video above is the most memorable thing from his time there.
Lue played in a total of 61 games in 3 seasons with the Lakers. In ’01-02 is when Lue really started to find some playing time. Lue played in 71 and 75 games with the Washington Wizards then 76 with the Orlando Magic. His games played, and teams played for, vacillated heavily after that.
For his career, Lue averaged 8.5 points, 3.1 assists and 1.7 rebounds. Lue is generously listed at 6-foot tall but that might be stretching it an inch or two. He played at about 175 pounds, soaking wet.
Lue is generously listed at 6-foot tall but that might be stretching it an inch or two. He played at about 175 pounds, soaking wet.
On the court, not seen in the above video, Lue was a tireless defender. A gnat who frustrated players with his low center of gravity and quick hands. He struggled on defense due to his size but it wasn’t for lack of effort, quickness or guile.
That he wasn’t a star player is a good sign for him as a coach. To stay in the NBA for 11 years, with his limited physical skill set, took a lot of intelligence and game understanding.
So who is the Cavs’ Lue?
Height
With his generously listed 6′ height, Lue would be the shortest player on the Cavs. Mo Williams currently holds that honor at 6’1″. Both were point guards, both bounced around the league some and both had a decent shot from deep. That likely ends that comparison.
Weight
Kyrie Irving is listed as the lightest Cav but at 193 pounds is still 18 pounds heavier than Lue’s noted playing weight. Jared Cunningham‘s frame is not much bigger at a listed 195 pounds.
PPG
Comparing this season to Lue’s career average, Matthew Dellavedova‘s 8.2 points per game fits very closely to Lue’s 8.5 for his career. Lue’s career year, 11.4 points per game with the Atlanta Hawks in ’06-07, lines him up with sharp shooter J.R. Smith‘s 12.8 points per game this season.
Assists
As a point guard, Lue’s 3.1 assists per game is a little low. Once again Mo is the closest match, with 2.9 assists per game. Given Irving and LeBron James handling the ball a ton now, Mo’s numbers will continue to go down.
Shooting
For his career, Lue shot 44/39/83. That is 44% from the field, 39% from 3 point land and 83% from the foul line. This season Irving, Williams and Richard Jefferson are all shooting 45% from the field while J.R.’s 40% from behind the arc is 2nd on the team behind Dellavedova. The Cavs free throw struggles as a team are pretty apparent with Kevin Love‘s 80% the closest to Lue.
Style
Lue’s aggressive, pestering defense was nothing compared to what Delly has become. While Delly stands a good 5 inches taller, his ability to pressure the ball and get in players’ heads is uncanny. Iman Shumpert‘s quick hands also fit much of what we saw from Lue on the defensive end, though Shump is in his own world with his hands.
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So Who is the Lue?
The easy answer if Matthew Dellavedova due to his style of play. However, Delly is shooting far better, facilitates the offense better and is much bigger than his now coach was for his career. Delly’s value to the team has never been higher after watching them struggle without him for a few games.
Mo Williams’ size and some of his numbers fit but Mo is more of the “All Offense Lue” for the Cavs.
Maybe if he was getting more time, Jared Cunningham would be the Cavs’ Lue.
No one really fits the role of The Lue for the Cavs. Maybe that is a problem. Maybe Lue is looking for his team to take on his identity. Can a star-studded cast like the Cavs once again take on the mantel of the scrappy, hard-charging team?
Maybe. Maybe then The Lue will reveal himself or maybe, just maybe Matthew Dellavedova is the New and Improved Lue: The Super Lue!
Who do you think is the Cavs player most like Tyronn Lue?