Tyronn Lue royally screwed up by not starting Kyle Korver

The Cleveland Cavaliers play to LeBron James strength when Kyle Korver is on the court, yet Tyronn Lue continues to trust JR Smith, Tristan Thompson, and George Hill.

The changes to the starting lineup that Tyronn Lue made in Game 2 weren’t outlandish. He inserted Tristan Thompson into the lineup for Kyle Korver. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers had one of their worse postseason quarters coming out of the half.

During the third quarter, Cleveland went from plus-7 at the half to minus-7 to begin the fourth.

The starting lineup, without an out-of-the-world effort from LeBron, struggled. It started with JR Smith and continued down the line of starters.

For the game, you and I scored as many points as JR Smith, yet Lue will continue to put his trust in the veteran sniper. In six fewer minutes than Smith, Korver put up eleven more points and shot 50% from the field. Yet, with multiple performances resembling these, Lue continues to play Smith more than Korver.

Kyle Korver, while he can be a defensive liability against these bigger, more athletic guards/forwards of the Celtics, has proven to allow LeBron James to thrive offensively. And, in the end, the Cavs best defense has been good offense, which may not be ideal but is a reality.

That said, should Lue be blamed for playing the team’s third-leading scorer the least of any rotational player?

In the end, starting Tristan Thompson wasn’t the critical mistake that Lue made. The mistake was starting him for Kyle Korver, who’s been one of the Cavs only consistent weapons this postseason.

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

After LeBron’s impeccable Game 2 start, he came back to reality. Leaving his team up four to start the second, it was Kyle Korver who kept the Cavs from being blowout sooner, scoring all eleven of his points in the second.

Then, without Korver on the court or a superhero effort from LeBron James, the Cavs, as previously mentioned, had one of their worst postseason quarter, surrendering the lead and all the momentum.

Korver’s second quarter stabilized Cleveland for a time, but when he was put in following halftime, the damage was done.

Lineup-wise, Korver is in the Cavs two most efficient five-man lineups (only lineups with 30+ postseason minutes considered.) Not to my surprise, one of the Cavs most efficient lineups consists of both Thompson and Korver. However, that lineup doesn’t include George Hill.

The analytics praised Thompson’s ability to defend Horford, but singling out a single Celtic to limit was Lue’s problem. Lue altered his strategy to take out one player that didn’t even spearhead the C’s +14 point third quarter.

The Cavs must make Stevens and the Celtics play to their style.

If Korver’s minutes continue to decline, so will the likelihood that Lue is brought back for another season as the Cavs head coach. All season this team has thrived behind the duo of Korver and James on the court, and they can’t turn from it now.

Next: Cavs must re-think their lineups to ensure success

Lue made a mistake with this lineup, and it’d shock me if he continues playing it as the Cavs go into Game 3 at home.