The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Lue steps back from coaching to deal with health issues
LeBron James and the Cavaliers have weathered a number of crises this season.
They find themselves facing another one with the announcement on March 19 that head coach Tyronn Lue is taking a leave of absence to deal with various health issues.
There is no timetable for his return.
“After many conversations with our doctors and (general manager) Koby (Altman) and much thought given to what is best for the team and my health, I need to step back from coaching for the time being and focus on trying to establish a stronger and healthier foundation from which to coach for the rest of the season,” Lue said in a prepared statement.
“I have had chest pains and other troubling symptoms, compounded by a loss of sleep, throughout the year,” Lue added. “Despite a battery of tests, there have been no conclusions as to what the exact issue is.
“While I have tried to work through it, the last thing I want is for it to affect the team. I am going to use this time to focus on a prescribed routine and medication, which has previously been difficult to
start in the midst of a season. My goal is to come out of it a stronger and healthier version of myself so I can continue to lead this team to the Championship we are all working towards.”
Lue has missed all or parts of three games this season dealing with these
health issues, including the second half of the Cavs’ 114-109 victory at Chicago on March 17.
“We know how difficult these circumstances are for Coach Lue and we support him totally in this focused approach to addressing his health issues,” Altman said
in a prepared statement.
Assistant head coach Larry Drew will take over in Lue’s absence.
James was asked about Lue’s decision to step away while speaking to reporters at the morning practice March 19 before the Cavs host Milwaukee at Quicken Loans Arena.
“It’s probably overdue. I’m not surprised at all,” James said. “Health is the most important thing in life, and that’s what our coach is doing right now.
“I knew he was struggling, but he was never not himself,” James added. “He was just dealing with it the best way he could. Obviously, once you leave the gym and go home, there are things we don’t know. He was the same every single day, even though he was going through what he was going through.”
James said he and his teammates “are going to find out” what the impact is of Lue’s decision.
“It’s tough. It’s like losing one of your best players,” James said. “He’s the guy who is pretty much the captain of our ship. Everyone has to step up. We have coaches in place ready for that challenge. We have to do our job as players, as well.”
James said there won’t be any difference in the Cavs’ approach with Drew in the head coach’s seat
“The coaches are all on the same page. The voice changes, but the message will be the same, obviously,” James said. “We need to be prepared and go out and do our job.”
Lue has a regular-season record of 118-74 since replacing David Blatt in January 2016. He has led the Cavs to two straight appearances in the NBA Finals and the 2016 NBA title. They are 40-29 and in third place in the Eastern Conference playoff race with 13 regular-season games remaining.