Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue wants you to know that he, like the rest of us, was stunned when he heard the news that LeBron James is headed West instead of staying in the East, particularly in Northeast Ohio.
In an appearance on NBA TV’s broadcast Friday night during the Cavaliers’ Summer League game against the Washington Wizards in Las Vegas, Lue was asked by Rick Kamla what was going through his mind following James’ decision to leave The Land for La La Land. Lue’s answer was pretty candid, saying that he was “shocked” and “hurt a little bit” by it but conceded that it’s a decision James had the prerogative to make based on what’s best for the four-time MVP and his family.
Notwithstanding what Lue said, it’s doubtful that he did not have any inkling in him that James would leave Cleveland. It was written all over his face and gestures last month when he was ambushed outside of a restaurant by TMZ while seemingly sporting the same face of a man who just realized that the boat he is on is sinking.
Tyronn Lue, however, was in a much better mood on Friday, as he has accepted the reality that he’ll coach a team in Cleveland sans a LeBron James. He also probably liked that the Cavs defeated the Wizards, 72-59, with prized rookie Collin Sexton scoring 15 points and snaring seven rebounds in 29 minutes.
