Ty Lue opens up about coaching LeBron James and the Cavaliers to a championship and why he feels overshadowed.
Ty Lue opens up about being overshadowed by LeBron James
Tyronn Lue recently appeared on The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis, where he talked extensively about LeBron James, who just turned 40. Lue and James share a close bond dating back to their Cleveland Cavaliers days, during which they achieved a historic title run in 2016.
However, due to LeBron James’ star power, Lue felt that he couldn’t receive proper credit for the team’s collective success during that time. Now serving as the head coach of the Clippers, Lue recently signed a five-year, $70 million extension with the Los Angeles Clippers during this off-season. Reflecting on being overshadowed by James’ spectacular performances during their Finals campaign, Lue felt that he is finally getting the respect he deserves with the Clippers.
Bron’s been in the league, what, 21 years? He has four championships. They act like he won 21 championships. He has won four championships; he hasn’t won every year. Sometimes it takes a special person or a special situation to get to that point. Like I said, Bron deserves all the credit, but what fulfilled me was when he came to me and said that I was a great coach and ‘one of the best coaches he has ever played for.’ So, that, right there, meant a lot to me.
Tyronn Lue on LeBron James
Ty Lue and James’ bond is a special one, like that of every other team who went to war to win the championship. Lue also opened up about James intervening to get him a better deal with the Lakers when he tried to recruit him. Nonetheless, Lue felt that the Clippers respected him for who he was and chose the Los Angeles “B-Team.”
Lue continued that once he was able to coach the Clippers to a conference final in 2021, which ultimately fell short due to Kawhi Leonard‘s injury, he felt he received the recognition for his hard work. This is apparent in the new deal he recently signed with the Clippers organization.
Tyronn Lue compares Kawhi Leonard to LeBron James
Ahead of Kawhi Leonard‘s supposed return to the Clippers’ home court on January 4th against the Atlanta Hawks, Lue lauded Leonard for his relentless hard work and resilience.
Kawhi, when he first got in the league, he wasn’t a shooter. Then he expanded. Then he was a corner shooter, then he became better at the wings. Every year he’s gotten better and better. Now he’s a 40% three-point shooter. He was able to take steps of being a post player getting better and better. Same with LeBron. He came in the league, and he wasn’t a shooter. Now he shoots 40% from three. He put the work in and so they remind me a lot of each other, like I said, when it comes to that work ethic, putting that work in and get to where they want to get to.
Ty Lue on Kawhi Leonard
The head coach had shared a similar sentiment earlier this month when he revealed the inability to help his team while he was sidelined was eating at Kawhi Leonard. Prior to injury, Leonard was grinding for over 34 minutes on the court, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
The co-host and former player, Baron Davis, also asked Lue who was funnier, since he had the opportunity to coach both players. Lue replied, “Bron is fun, but Kawhi is funnier,” saying that although Leonard doesn’t speak much, one couldn’t help but laugh when he did, as he shared his anecdotes.