James’ workload doesn’t concern Lue
Except for his backpedaling shows no visible signs of age.
At 32, still in his prime and defying time.
“Benjamin Button,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn James, referring to the fictional character backward. LeBenjamin? Following a regular season in which he averaged more minutes per game (37.8) than any player, James logged 43.7 per game during the Cavaliers’ tougher-than-it-looked sweep over the Pacers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. And as he and the defending champions await either the Raptors or Bucks in the second round, James is taking advantage of the down time. Not that he might need it. Lue spentmuchof the season defending his use of James, who, in all honesty, is really the one in control of when he sits or doesn’t. At this point, Lue has given up worrying about resting the superstar.
“I don’t understandwhypeoplemake a big deal out of his minutes,” Lue saidWednesday. “He had a week off before the series started. Wewon four straight games and then he had a week off again, so next he might play 48 minutes. Bron today said he feelsworse when he doesn’t play.”
James wasn’t available for interviews as the team gathered for the first time in two days at Cleveland Clinic Courts, and it’s likely that hewon’t speak to the media until the Cavs have a second-round opponent.
But as has been the case for months, James’ playing time was one of the prime topics presented to Lue, who believes the four-time MVP’s heavy workload during the regular season is what enables him to play at such high levels in the postseason.
Consider that James averaged 32.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and nine assists, shot 54 percent fromthe field, went 9 of 20 on 3-pointers and led the Cavaliers to the biggest second-half comeback in league history during the series against the Pacers, and it’s easy to see why Lue wants to move past the minutes chatter.
“Playing the minutes he played during the course of the regular season has helped him,” Lue said. “Nowhe is able to play those 42, 43 minutes because he’s used to it.” AP at hairline, the top LeBron of his James game, he’s
Lue called who ages