King James Gospel
Fansided

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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INDEPENDENCE, OH – JUNE 22: General manager Koby Altman and head coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers pose for a photo with Collin Sexton during a press conference on June 22, 2018 at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDEPENDENCE, OH – JUNE 22: General manager Koby Altman and head coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers pose for a photo with Collin Sexton during a press conference on June 22, 2018 at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The new goal is more complicated.

Coach Lue will need to both develop the Cavs young talent in Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman, Ante Zizic, Larry Nance Jr., David Nwaba, and Sam Dekker while also winning games with veterans like Kevin Love, Kyle Korver, and J.R. Smith.

In the past, a playoff berth has been all but guaranteed. The Cavs often coasted through the East, waiting to turn it on in May—this was especially true this past year when the team finished with its worst record since LeBron’s return.

This new Cavs team no longer has this luxury, as they no longer host the league’s best player. Every game should and will be a dogfight. Cleveland will push to outperform their 23rd position on ESPN’s preseason power rankings.

No longer a personality coach.

In his two-and-a-half seasons, Coach Lue has often been touted as a “personality coach.” A coach who manages his players’ egos, which is no small task when working alongside superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving.

When first hired, much was made over Lue’s healthier relationship with LeBron than Blatt’s. Where LeBron occasionally ignored Blatt and Blatt “was loathe” to criticize James in front of his teammates and the media, Lue was friends with LeBron and wanted to hold him accountable.

Following Lue’s promotion, he told Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com: “I talked to Bron. I told him, ‘I got to hold you accountable.’ It starts with you first. And if I can hold you accountable in front of the team and doing the right things, then everybody else has got to fall in line, fall in place.'”

“He will coach me and push me,” LeBron said, “and I’ll listen to everything he has to say and go from there.”

However, now Lue’s job does not center on his relationship with James.

Kevin Love is now the only star left since Lue took over, and he has been a low-ego player throughout his Cavalier tenure—becoming a third-option and playing out-of-position with few complaints.

This means Lue’s interpersonal skills are not as valuable.

Instead, he will be under a microscope to see if he can scheme against tougher matchups and get the most out of his players.