The Cavaliers and Tyronn Lue announced on Monday morning that the head coach would be taking a leave of absence for health reasons, and that was just the start of another eventful day in the life of the 2017/18 Cavs. Later, Cleveland confirmed that Kevin Love would be making his long-awaited return from a hand injury on Monday night. The team later went out and grabbed a dramatic 124-117 win over the Bucks, with LeBron James posting a rare 40-point triple-double.
As Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post writes, the day was emblematic of the Cavaliers’ season as a whole, which has been filled with ups and downs, with one thing happening after another all year long. While the roster appears to be getting healthy as the regular season nears an end, the same can’t be said for its head coach, whose health will be the franchise’s top concern in the coming weeks. Lue hopes to return well before the playoffs get underway, according to Bontemps.
Here’s more on the Cavs:
- Before Lue’s leave of absence was announced, Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com wrote in a mailbag that he doesn’t think the Cavs’ head coach is on the hot seat. As long as Lue is healthy, Vardon assumes that he’ll continue to be the coach in Cleveland next season.
- Interim head coach Larry Drew found out at 1:30 on Monday morning that he’d be taking over for Lue for the time being, Vardon writes in another Cleveland.com article. Vardon notes that the process of having Lue step down temporarily was initiated by GM Koby Altman, adding that it’s expected to take about a week for Lue’s body to become accustomed to the new medication he’s on.
- With so many players set to return from injuries for the Cavs, Drew plans to give Lue a call to get his input on some lineup decisions, per Vardon. “We’ll talk about it,” Drew said. “He’s got the final say-so. Whatever he wants, then that’s what we’re going to go with. But if he tells me to make a decision, then I’ll have to make a decision.” Although Love is back, Rodney Hood, Larry Nance, Tristan Thompson, and Cedi Osman are all still dealing with various injuries.
- Speaking of Thompson, given the way Ante Zizic has been playing during the veteran’s absence, the Cavs will soon have to figure out how to balance the frontcourt minutes, says Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Zizic posted 13 points and six boards during Cleveland’s win on Monday, and has been making a case for a more regular role.
The season is almost over and the Cavs won’t make it past the 2nd round of the playoffs. Colin Coward and Chris Broussard said he’d be off a week or 2. When he goes back the stress will still be there. He should do like Steve Kerr and take off whatever time he needs. They aren’t going to the finals this year. That would be more stress on him anyway.
Such a hater bro
Everybody’s good times have to come to an. This is the year for LeBron. I’m enjoying watching Cavs fans facing reality. Us Pacers fans aren’t championship or bust fans, we’re basketball fans. We don’t have a superstar. Our payroll is half the Cavs, next year a third if Gilbert decides to keep LeBron. The Pacers are still competing. If the Cavs want to compete with Boston and Toronto, they’ll have to overhaul the roster AGAIN! The Pacers like everything just the way it is just fine!
That’s an end!
Old man yells at cloud
Who’s stopping the cavs in the east ? The only team I would be afraid of is Philly
Toronto plays at Cleveland Wednesday night. Televised!
Hate to tell you this but tonight’s game doesn’t mean anything except one regular season game. Cavs will once again be the EC Champs. I know it sucks not to be that team and to watch the Cavs win every year, but it’s a reality.
Tonight, with the death of Kirk Korver, the Cavs will be lucky to get out with a 10 point loss. Sucks to have 5 rotation players out, but come playoffs, the Cavs will once again dominate.
Coach Lebron is here
I’m glad they made Lue’s return date open-ended. Seems like he will be better for it, but I said that about Rose too, when he took a break.
Be interesting to see how Love does vs Raptrs. He has done fine but I think for this year they are focussing on him.
Tyronn has a lot of people to answer to right now. He has to find a way to relax. Hope he does. The meds will make him drowsy.
Raptors rested Derozan against the Magic so he’d be ready for the Cavs.
Don’t worry dude. One of these days you’ll be right about something. I’m won’t be holding my breath though.
I don’t think the rest did DeRozan any good.