Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue has tried a few different starting rotations this season, but it sounds like he’s ready to lock in on one particular lineup.
The Cavs, who are carrying a 3-2 record through their first five games of this young season, added several new faces during the offseason. One of those new faces, three-time champion Dwyane Wade, was given the starting nod just before the start of the season, which meant Cavs sharpshooter J.R. Smith would be coming off the bench. However, after three sub-par games as a starter, Wade suggested that Smith should be back in the starting lineup.
Wade, now 35 years of age, played well in his first game off the bench, finishing with 11 points, four assists, and three rebounds in his 19 minutes of playing time in a 119-112 win over the Chicago Bulls.
After Friday’s practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts, coach Lue spoke to reporters with regards to his starting lineup. The Mexico, Missouri native says LeBron James, Derrick Rose, J.R. Smith, Kevin Love, and Tristan Thompson will be the starters for the foreseeable future.
Love had previously been playing at the center position for the Cavs, with Thompson coming off the bench. Now, with both of the prolific rebounders on the floor, K-Love can slide back to his natural power forward position.
Via Joe Vardon of cleveland.com:
“I think it’s better, too, because having Kevin bang with those big guys, it’s wearing him out for his shot and having to (guard) all the pick-and-rolls, it’s a lot of energy to ask of Kevin, especially when he has to be one of our primary scorers,” Lue said. “So getting Tristan back in that lineup, the bigs, he’s used to setting screens, rolling, creating space for other guys. It’s what we’re going to go with right now.”
Rose, who has missed Cleveland’s last three games due to an ankle injury he suffered in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks should be ready to reclaim the starting point guard role. James, a small forward by trade, ran the point for two games in Rose’s absence. For the record: James, now in his 15th season, averaged 13 assists in those two games.
The Cavs will be back in action tomorrow night when they face the New Orleans Pelicans inside the Smoothie King Center at 7:00 p.m. EST. Fox Sports New Orleans and Fox Sports Ohio will have live broadcast coverage.