King James Gospel
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How safe is Coach Lue’s job?

By Doug Patrick

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 11: Head Coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on January 11, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 11: Head Coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on January 11, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 11: Tristan Thompson
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 11: Tristan Thompson /

Without LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue will face his most unique challenge yet.

The path to the Cleveland Cavaliers head coaching job was paved for Lue in January 2016.

The Cavs’ previous head coach David Blatt was fired following an embarrassing blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors. At the time, the Cavs were 30-11 and first in the East. Blatt was set to coach the NBA All-Star game.

Cleveland’s GM David Griffin conceded that the team’s record was fine, but that he was “judging a lot more than wins and losses.” To him and many others, Blatt’s Cavs did not look poised to win an NBA Championship.

Coach Lue and his one goal, up until now.

Assistant Coach Tyronn Lue was immediately promoted to Blatt’s job, and the organization’s expectations required no guesswork. It was championship or bust.

As the story goes, the Cavs won the 2016 title in historic fashion, coming back from a 3-1 deficit. Coach Lue was elated, to say the least:

For the next two years, Lue’s goal has remained the same.

By securing Cleveland’s first title in 52 years and bringing the team back to the NBA’s biggest stage year-after-year, Coach Lue has mostly lived up to the immense expectations thrust onto his shoulders.

Now, things are different.

For the 2018-19 season, Lue’s goal is much changed. With LeBron James gone, the Cavs are no longer a perennial title contender. Rather, they are a team that simply wants to compete in the East.

“Staying competitive” translates to a playoff appearance.

While this is a much less lofty goal than winning the championship, making the playoffs with these young and misfit Cavaliers could be Coach Lue’s toughest challenge yet.