LeBron James is on pace to play in all 82 games of a regular season for the first time in his career. Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue feels that James’ leader mentality is driving him to set an example for his teammates, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin writes.
“I just think being the leader of this team, I don’t think he thinks he can take games off, because, you know, guys being hurt and going through a rough patch, and now new guys coming in,” Lue said. “So, I think he’s trying to lead and lead by example … I think we still got to be smart about the situation, but [the training staff] say he feels good.”
James continued his impressive season on Friday in a 112-89 win over the Grizzlies as he recorded his 11th triple-double of the year with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. Cleveland’s roster is revamped and James’ level of play has remained on par with the best of the game.
Check out other Cavaliers notes below:
- The Cavaliers did win on Friday night but even in their losses, James seems to maintain a positive attitude. Cleveland lost 110-103 to the Wizards on Thursday but James said he likes the team’s direction, Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com writes. “I think we played well tonight, even though we lost,” James said. “I hate losing, obviously, but I think the way we played, the way we shared the ball. Defensively, we were flying around as well and those guys, they just played better than us tonight. I like the start, I like the direction we’re headed.”
- The Cavaliers have invited Lithuanian big man Arturas Gudaitis to come to Cleveland for a tryout this summer, tweets basketball journalist Donatas Urbonas. Gudaitis, a 2015 second-round pick of the Kings, was sent to the Cavaliers as part of a three-team deal at the deadline. He’s currently with Olimpia Milano of the Italian LBA but his rights are owned by the Cavaliers.
What are they doing with Zizic? I mean, tallest guy on the team… he’s not a rim protector, more of a deterrent tho, his draft mo was that he’s pesky…. Raw I get, but 1 minute and change in a blowout?
He’s been playing a lot in Canton. He’s raw and young so why would a team contending for a title play someone who is not ready?
I don’t know if it’s just the media narrative but James seems a lot more at ease after the deadline.
I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that expectations r lower
Not for nothing but Lebron is the GOAT. As great as Michael Jordan was he had nowhere near the explosiveness Lebron has, last night in that game at 34 years of age Lebron was slam dunking harder then anyone else in the game right now. His speed end to end is still elite.
M.J. is a former slam dunk champion. He was also a shooting guard. LeBron admits he’s not a perimeter player. Darryl Dawkins and Jerome Lane could break a backboard. Does that make them GOAT’s?
M.J. won 6 titles and retired to play baseball at age 35. He won 10 scoring titles. M.J. played at North Carolina 3 years and won a national championship. LeBron never went to college. M.J. is an owner. LeBron may need to get a college degree to be one.
That is not a requirement. Please talk sense.
MJ is the greatest. Point blank. However, LeBron, as a current player, is blowing by Jordan’s off court business ventures. Movies, TV shows, low-key partner in a sports management firm with over a dozen nba clients including Ben Simmons, John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, himself and many others. Part ownership of a pizza franchise that grew from 5 to 200 franchises in the matter of a few years. I would not be shocked if he became a substantial owner of a franchise before he turns 45. Whatb he’s doing, while still playing at a high level, is remarkable. Of course he has a good team that tend to his business interests but the way he empowers his team is significant.