Cavaliers reportedly give update on Ty Lue's job safety
“Don’t look like [we tried]. We didn’t have no fight. I just think our mindset needs to change. I think we need to do things harder.”
Not exactly inspiring words from an NBA coach, but Tyronn Lue laid things out that simply after his Cavaliers lost their eighth straight game on national TV, a 120-88 home embarrassment to Houston.
Tough night.#AllForOne pic.twitter.com/BNKV7yhgp9
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 4, 2018
But despite losing 12 out of 18 games, Lue’s job is secure, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wojnarowski quotes one Cleveland official as saying, “We are not firing our head coach.”
Whoever is on the bench, it’s obvious the ship is sinking for the three-time Eastern Conference champions, and it’s affecting everyone.
LeBron James was lethargic Saturday night, scoring only 11 points (although he did have nine rebounds and nine assists).
James has no explanation for his team’s performance.
“I’m lost for words, actually,” James said. “They should take us off every nationally televised game for the rest of the season. We haven’t played good ball and we get our butts kicked every time we play on national television, so I’m at a loss for words.”
Former all-star Isaiah Thomas continues to struggle in his comeback from a serious hip injury, shooting 5 of 13, and posting a -20 while he was on the court.
“We’re not together on both ends,” Thomas said. “There’s a lot of one-on-one on the offensive end, maybe because we don’t trust each other. And then on the defensive end, it’s the same thing. Guys are put on islands and there’s no trust. I mean, if you don’t trust something … I don’t know. I think it has a lot to do with trust on both ends.”
Given owner Dan Gilbert’s quick-trigger history, Lue’s apparent job security is a bit of a surprise.
Again, his words after the game should be very troubling to Cleveland fans.
”I think our mindset has to change who we’re really playing for,” Gilbert said. “Are we playing to win or are we playing to look good? We have to be tougher. It’s tough for me because that’s how I got here. But we just have to be tougher with this thing, mentally and physically. When things get tough, we just have to be tougher.”
With all-star Kevin Love expected to miss nearly two months with a broken hand, Cleveland general manager Koby Altman is expected to be active — perhaps even desperate — before Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline.
Unfortunately for Altman, there really isn’t much to trade, unless he’s willing to include the Nets’ first-round pick he acquired in the Kyrie Irving trade.
In each of James’ three seasons since returning to Cleveland, the team has struggled in the middle of the season but has been able to make additions and get to the NBA Finals.
But this time, things seem different. While James has suggested different roster moves in the past, he’s taking a hands-off approach this time around.
“That’s not a question for me. I show up to work every day. I bust my tail every day. I’m the first one to get to the gym and I’m one of the last ones to leave,” James said. “I do my part. I control what I can control, and that is what I can control.”
What’s clear to any NBA observer is that the Cavs’ season is spinning out of control.
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