Tyronn Lue leaves in the middle of Cavs game

By Brad Wier | Feb 6, 2018

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 3: Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a foul call during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Quicken Loans Arena on February 3, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue’s job has been a topic of controversy all season. Tonight, he added fuel to the fire by leaving the team in the middle of the Orlando Magic game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a mess this season. They usually have stressful regular seasons that are plagued by lack of effort and chemistry issues. This season, however, these problems seem worse than usual. Their locker room has been full of drama, and it appears that the players don’t trust each other.

When a team performs below expectations, the blame always has to be put on someone, just ask Carmelo Anthony about when he was in New York. Cleveland has had many fall guys these past three seasons. The blame has gone to the likes of David Blatt (remember him), #blamekevinlove, and now to head coach Tyronn Lue.

Lue isn’t doing himself any favors as the Cavs have dropped 14 of their last 21 and fans and media members have been calling for his job. The Cavs front office has stated that they plan to stick with him despite their recent struggles.

The Cavs just lost 116-99 against the terrible Orlando Magic. If that wasn’t bad enough, ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin tweeted that Tyronn Lue left in the middle of the second quarter and didn’t return.

Ty Lue just left the bench to go to the locker room with Cavs trainer Steve Spiro during the timeout. The Cavs assistants drew up a play together and now Larry Drew is addressing the team in the huddle.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 7, 2018

This could be a non-story due to the outbreak of the flu that has been going around. Dwayne Wade didn’t dress tonight due to flu-like symptoms and it’s possible he got some other people in the locker room sick as well. Still, leaving your team in the middle of a game is never a good look. If he was healthy enough to start the game, he should be able to finish it out.

Lue’s been in the hot seat for a while now ,and this incident will only add speculation to it. If he loses the locker room, the Cavs fron office risks performing poorly in the playoffs and perhaps losing LeBron James in the offseason.

Wheterh or not Lue’s absence has to do with a sickness or something deeper than that is still yet to be known. But whatever it is, Lue better hope he can solve some of his team’s problems or this might be his final season as the Cavaliers head coach.

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