Cavs coach Tyronn Lue reveals he's being treated for anxiety
When Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue took a leave of absence from the team back in March, he cited “chest pains and other troubling symptoms, compounded by a loss of sleep.”
More than two months later, Lue has revealed that anxiety was the root of these issues.
Lue had stepped away from coaching for a short time after several scary occasions during which he coughed up blood. Now, he’s doing better, thanks to a diet change and medication.
“I’m glad it wasn’t anything serious,” Lue told ESPN‘s Rachel Nichols. “Just anxiety, and the medication I’m on is great. No more chest pains, so everything’s been great.”
Prior to taking a leave of absence, Lue underwent several medical tests that eventually led doctors to determine he was suffering from anxiety. As a result, he realized he had no choice but to step away from basketball.
And it worked. His two weeks of rest helped him get better, as did his lifestyle changes and medication.
“I think for the first time in my career, 20 years, I had a chance to focus on me. It wasn’t as bad as people thought it was. But I did have some chest pains for the last couple of years. And I was just trying to be able to get through it not knowing what was wrong with me,” Lue said.
“So the two weeks I took off, just finally had a chance to focus on myself and change my diet. Hired a chef. Stopped drinking as many Shirley Temples. And stopped with the sweets and got back to taking care of myself. Now I feel great,” he added.
Lue always had the support of his players and coaching staff, as well as the higher-ups in the Cavaliers organization. But he also turned to an unlikely source: Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
The Warriors, of course, are taking on the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals (Game 1 is set for Thursday night). However, Lue reached out to Kerr because the Warriors coach has also had to take several leaves of absence due to complications from back surgery.
Kerr told the Bay Area News Group on Wednesday that he did what he could to encourage Lue.
“I just tried to share some of my experience when I was out last year,” Kerr said. “The main message was you can’t allow what feels like the enormity of the job to interfere with your health and your recovery and whatever you need to do. I just told him the team will still be there when you get back.”
Lue, meanwhile, said it meant a lot to him that Kerr was willing to offer kind words.
“Just hearing from Steve, and he’s been through something similar, it was great to hear him and talk to him and pick his brain about different circumstances,” Lue said.
“So he was great. I appreciate all the support he gave me, along with all the rest of the NBA family. I really don’t want to share much of what he talked about, but he was just very supportive. Just told me to get myself healthy, and let’s make another strong run at it. So here we are again,” he added.
Their teams might be facing off on the court, but when it comes to what truly matters, Kerr and Lue have their priorities straight. And in a game where players and coaches often let their emotions get the better of them, that’s encouraging.
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