Fansided

5 takeaways from LeBron’s eighth-straight Eastern Conference Finals win

By Jeremy Lambert

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of teh Boston Celtics in the second half during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of teh Boston Celtics in the second half during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. Ty Lue is maybe good?

Everyone, myself included, praised Brad Stevens leading up to the East Finals. Mind you, it was well deserved. Very few thought Ty Lue, despite having a ring on his finger, could out-coach Stevens.

Did Lue out-coach Stevens? Maybe. It helps when Lue has the best player in the world and the ultimate floor general on his side. It also helps when Terry Rozier misses every clean look from three. But allow me to give Lue some credit.

Like it or not, he’s been to the Finals in all three seasons as a head coach. He’s won a championship. He’s 2-0 against Stevens in the Eastern Conference Finals. He’s had certain advantages, but he’s also been at plenty of disadvantages. In the end, he’s done enough to be 10-1 in playoff series. That’s impressive.

Things haven’t always been easy for Lue. He was down 3-1 to the Warriors and managed to win. He dealt with a Kyrie-LeBron dynamic last season that was probably harder than we could ever imagine. The roster turnover he faced in the off-season and then at the trade deadline was unheard of for a team coming off three straight Finals appearances. Coaching isn’t always about Xs and Os. It’s also about getting guys mentally ready, keeping them engaged, and dealing with different egos.

Lue is doing something right in Cleveland. Even if he’s not doing anything more than letting LeBron be LeBron. It’s worked and he deserves some credit for that.

Home/NBA Playoffs