In a move that is sure to create some controversy, the NBA has officially announced that Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue will coach the Eastern Conference All-Star team in Toronto next month.
In accordance to NBA rules it isn’t huge, headline-grabbing news but when putting it in perspective, Lue being named the Eastern All-Star coach is a decision that many will disagree with.
It was confirmed after the Cavaliers defeated the Phoenix Suns that Lue and his Cleveland coaching staff will be roaming the sidelines in Toronto on February 14.
Ty Lue on coaching All-Star game: It's a tribute to Coach Blatt, players and coaching staff
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) January 28, 2016
Here is the NBA’s official press release of the news.
"Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue and his staff will coach the Eastern Conference All-Stars in the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, to be televised by TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 14 from Air Canada Centre in Toronto.The Cavaliers (32-12, .727) clinched the best record in the conference through games played on Sunday, Jan. 31, by virtue of their 115-93 win over the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 27.The 65th NBA All-Star Game will be the first All-Star Game held outside of the U.S. The game will be seen by fans in more than 200 countries and territories and will be heard in more than 40 languages. TNT will televise the All-Star Game in the U.S. for the 14th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 31st year of NBA All-Star coverage."
Cavs forward Kevin Love found the humor in the situation.
Kevin Love on Ty Lue coaching East: "He's won 66% of his games."
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) January 28, 2016
The reason the move is a questionable one is that of course, David Blatt, who has been the Cavs coach for majority of this season, was fired this week. Lue was promoted to the head coaching duties when Blatt was fired.
By rule, the coach of the best team in the conference coaches the All-Star game for their respective conference. Coaches can’t coach the All-Star team in consecutive seasons.
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Many in Toronto will be up in arms over the decision, as they feel the Raptors head coach Dwayne Casey is a more appropriate candidate. His Raptors are second in the East with a 30-15 record and the team riding a nine game win streak.
Although, despite what people think, this is the correct decision. (To see an opposing viewpoint, check out Jared’s piece here.) Despite Blatt being fired, his coaching staff still had a huge factor in the Cavs becoming the East’s standout team to this point.
Lue has acknowledged that this decision is a tribute to Coach Blatt and the entire coaching staff and he is right. The Cavaliers have been the best team in the East all season and they deserve to be recognized for it at All-Star weekend.