Skip to content

Lue denies lobbying for Cavs' job, says he and Blatt are 'cool'

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Tyronn Lue understands that criticism comes with the territory as head coach of the under-the-microscope Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Look, they ridiculed Jesus Christ, so I'm certainly no exception," Lue told Cleveland.com's Chris Haynes. What Lue wants to stress is he didn't undermine former coach David Blatt in the months ahead of Blatt's surprising Jan. 22 dismissal, and the former assistant is still close with his onetime boss.

"Me and Blatt are cool," Lue said. "We've spoken a few times since. I texted him a few days ago, so it's not what people want to think. To say I was doing things behind the scenes to get this job is crazy. This job? A team that's in first place? Come on."

Rumors started floating early last season that Blatt was a bad fit with the Cavs, who weren't the same team he signed up to coach in 2014 after LeBron James' return. One report suggested then-assistant Lue had to step in and hold star players accountable in a team meeting because Blatt was afraid to.

"As long as coach Blatt supports me, that's all that matters," Lue added.

Lue, the NBA's third-youngest head coach, will helm the Eastern Conference All-Star team this coming weekend in Toronto. A ridiculed product of league rules, Lue will take the gig with a grand total of 11 games coached under his belt.

Not that he's paying attention to any criticism.

"I don't read any of that (expletive). Even if it's positive reviews," he said. "I've always been that way. I like to fly under the radar. I don't like my name in everything."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox