Mixed emotions
Who’s to say why Tyronn Lue suddenly felt the urge to publicly convey his sentiments regarding his unceremonious departure from the Cavaliers six games into the 2018–19 season? He managed to stay silent for 15 whole months, only to open up about his firing in a story published by The Athletic yesterday. And, given his pronouncements, it was one that hurt. “I don’t think it should’ve happened,” he told senior writer Joe Vardon. “It was tough. To win the first championship ever in Cleveland history, and then make the Finals [the next two years] and then get fired six games in, it’s hard to swallow and it’s tough to deal with.”
No doubt, Lue felt at ease unburdening himself of his thoughts because he was doing so to Vardon, who covered him regularly through four years of ups and downs, first as an assistant to David Blatt, and then as head coach. The article also fit the calendar; his work as Doc Rivers’ top lieutenant with the Clippers had him facing the Cavaliers for the first time since they parted ways. In this regards, he was, perhaps, simply waiting for the right time to speak up. And, apparently, he had a lot to say.
Lue was candid, and even went so far as to note that he wished he continued occupying the hot seat with the Cavaliers. Never mind that they were then determined to support a reboot focused on young talent, and that he had been handed a pink slip precisely because he refused to keep veterans on the bench after initially acquiescing with the front-office directive. Time does have a way of mellowing perspectives, if not allowing for revisionist assessments. “You don’t see that very often, where a coach goes to three straight Finals and wins a championship and gets fired.” It can, of course, be argued that Blatt was likewise subjected to the same, and that he benefited directly from the development.
On the flipside, Lue did say he was thankful of the opportunity given him, admitting that “it was an unbelievable experience, especially for me.” Indeed. Only he can lay claim to having righted the Cavaliers’ ship midseason en route to a historic title run. And only he can say he was able to stroke egos properly to coax two more stabs at the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The singular skill very nearly set up a reunion with James, scuttled only by what he determined to be, per The Athletic, “too many demands” by the Lakers. Had that job opening panned out, would he still be looking to the past with mixed emotions? The answer should be good for another revelation for another day.
Lue was candid, and even went so far as to note that he wished he continued occupying the hot seat with the Cavaliers. Never mind that they were then determined to support a reboot focused on young talent, and that he had been handed a pink slip precisely because he refused to keep veterans on the bench after initially acquiescing with the front-office directive. Time does have a way of mellowing perspectives, if not allowing for revisionist assessments. “You don’t see that very often, where a coach goes to three straight Finals and wins a championship and gets fired.”