There are some who question the high number of minutes that LeBron James has played this postseason. However, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue has an explanation.
After yesterday’s practice session at Cleveland Clinic Courts, coach Lue spoke to members of the media with regards to James’ work load in the playoffs. In Cleveland’s four-game sweep against the Indiana Pacers, The King, now 32 years of age and in his 14th season, averaged 32.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 3.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks in a whopping 43.8 minutes per game (highest among all postseason players). Coach Lue tells ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he is always “cognizant” of James’ minutes.
“Of course, we’re always cognizant of LeBron’s minutes, but in looking at this situation, we didn’t look at the minutes as an issue,” Lue said. “It makes more sense to close out the series and have the additional rest versus playing potentially even more minutes, potentially 96-144 more minutes. Closing out and the rest that comes with it far outweighs the other potential scenario.”
Coach Lue makes solid points. The second-year pilot of the Cavaliers goes on to say that he doesn’t understand why people are so upset about James’ usage rate.
“I mean, I don’t understand why people make a big deal out of minutes,” Lue continued. “He had a week off before the series started. We won four straight games, and then he had a week off again. So, next (series), he might play 48 minutes.”
In the regular season, James averaged an NBA-high 37.8 minutes per game, the highest since his 2012-13 season with the Miami Heat. But as we all know, the postseason is an different animal.
“It’s just part of the playoffs — how he’s feeling, how the games are going,” coach Lue said of James. “But there’s no back-to-backs. Teams are suffering because they listen to what the media is saying about guys playing minutes. Some teams should play some guys more minutes, and it would’ve been a different series,” Lue explained. “So, whatever.”
When asked what percentage of NBA players he thinks might be able to withstand a 40-minute workload and not have a drop in overall performance, coach Lue gave a respectful reply.
“I think a lot of guys are capable of doing that,” Lue said. “A lot of guys are taking care of their body. NBA players are some of the best-conditioned guys in athletics in their sport, so they can definitely do it. I think a lot of times, coaches get sidetracked by what other guys, what the media said or whatever. But you just got to go off what you feel, how the guys feel, how the players feel and what your team needs at this time. So, if Bron plays 46 minutes and (Kyrie Irving) plays 45 minutes and we win, then it’s worth it. And if we need them to play that many minutes to win in the playoffs, then it’s absolutely worth it.”
Players can get a bit rusty without actual gametime action, right? Coach Lue tells ESPN that James actually feels worse when he doesn’t play.
“LeBron today just said he feels worse when he doesn’t play,” Lue told reporters. “Like right now, he said he feels worse, so, we just got to gauge it and see how he feels. Everyone else’s minutes were great outside of LeBron. He said he feels great. He didn’t really have a defensive assignment. He was able to roam off guys during the series and, so, it was good for him. With him playing the minutes he played during (the) course of the regular season, it has helped him in the playoffs. Now he is able to play those 42, 43 minutes because he’s used to it. His body can take it. So, I’m not worried about what outside people say.”
So, what does James himself have to say about his 43.8 minutes per game average in the postseason? The Akron Hammer says he feels great.
“The game plan is from the coaching staff,” James said. “Coaches always ask me how I’m feeling throughout the game, and I feel great. If I’m out on the floor and I’m hurting us by playing a lot of minutes, then I need to come out. But in this series, I played a lot of minutes, and I felt great. I actually could have played the whole game if need be.”