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Teflon Tyronn: When Two All Stars Are Not Enough

By Leonard New

Jan 27, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue looks at the scoreboard during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 124-116. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue looks at the scoreboard during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 124-116. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue and general manager David Griffin talk to the media during media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue and general manager David Griffin talk to the media during media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

When Two All Stars Are Not Enough For the Cleveland Cavaliers

Unlike any other team sport, the NBA is star-driven.  There is a direct correlation between star level players in the rotation and the success of the team.  The difference between the “Haves” and the “Have Nots” of the NBA is heavily correlated to the number of star level players in their rotation.

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Let’s define “star level” as a player who made the All Star game in any of the last three years and still is apart of the team’s normal rotation.  One All Star or less is likely to be a lottery team.  Two All Stars equate to a playoff team, but not a championship contender.  Three All Stars or more and the team is a championship contender.

Using that metric and some quick analysis as of today there are five teams who have two star level players (Boston, Toronto, Chicago, San Antonio and with the recent trade New Orleans mid-season doesn’t count), one team with three star level players (Los Angeles Clippers) and two teams with four star level players (Golden State and Cleveland).

Note that the teams with two (except New Orleans) are all playoff teams with Boston, Toronto and San Antonio each have legitimate shots at their respective conference finals.  With the success of teams harboring two star level players, doesn’t it seem strange that Coach Lue struggles when he is playing with only Love and Irving?