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Cleveland Cavaliers fans will learn a lot about Tyronn Lue this year

By Josh Friedman

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 11: Head coach Tyronn Lue reacts after a call during the second half against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena on April 11, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 110-98. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tyronn Lue
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 11: Head coach Tyronn Lue reacts after a call during the second half against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena on April 11, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 110-98. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tyronn Lue /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers need more out of head coach Tyronn Lue this season without the star power of previous years.

Tyronn Lue has been known more for getting stepped over by Allen Iverson in Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals than he has for his Cleveland Cavaliers’ coaching schemes.

A lot of that has to do with having LeBron James on your roster.

A superstar of James’ caliber often overshadows the coaching staff, as evidenced by James’ stay in Miami and most notably his second tenure in Cleveland.

Lue has had ups and downs, but it is hard to judge a coach who has LeBron James. It is unclear just how well the team is being coached in many cases.

With no more LeBron, Cavs fans should learn a lot more about just how good (or bad) Lue is.

Over the past year, especially, with the diminished talent (due to the Kyrie Irving trade) there was a bit more spotlight cast on Lue. For the most point, he disappointed.

Lue came in as a defensive-minded coach. As a player, he was known as an above average, scrappy defender.

The Cavaliers didn’t share this quality as they struggled defensively down the stretch, finishing the season ranked 29th in defensive rating (111.9), 28th in opponent’s three-point conversions per game (11.7) and 26th in opponents points per game (109.9).

Lue said he had a “secret defense” that he would unveil for the playoffs and, frankly, we are still waiting to see it.

Who can forget when Lue’s big adjustment for the playoffs was starting Jeff Green at the four? This lasted all of one game, as Green went 0-7 with zero points and a turnover.

Then there was Lue’s insistence on sitting Tristan Thompson? TT was out of the playoff rotation for the bulk of the Pacers series; he played just 23 minutes in games 1-6. Game 7 came, and Thompson played 35 minutes and recorded a double-double with 15 and 10 and added a block.

As the playoffs progressed, Rodney Hood fell out of favor and out of the rotation.

This was largely due to the fact that Hood reportedly refused to enter game 4 against the Raptors at the end. Still, Hood’s athleticism and midrange shooting could have been an asset to the Cavs and he didn’t receive playing time until Game 3 against the Warriors, when it was too late.

Coach Lue isn’t fully at fault for the Hood situation but he did little to remedy it.

Again, over just the past season and with the microscope on him more than it had been in years past, he made a few questionable decisions.

He was the head coach of a championship team but the lion’s share of the credit is attributed to Kyrie and LeBron. Without a talent like LeBron to bail him out, we will get to see the real Coach Lue this upcoming year.

This season could be one of the best opportunities the Cavs have to assess their head coaching position.

At one point, he was a well-respected assistant coach and the understudy to a heralded head coach in Doc Rivers. There are reasons he was the highest-paid assistant in the NBA when he was David Blatt’s assistant coach.

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Hopefully, those reasons will be on display this coming season.