March 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers Wiretap

LeBron James: I Always Believed Tyronn Lue Was Ready For The Moment

May 29, 2016 2:04 PM

LeBron James and Tyronn Lue spoke the same basketball terminology and Lue was able to push James on an intellectual level with his on-court decisions.

Lue matches James in terms of his basketball IQ and that automatically garnered respect whereas David Blatt struggled at times on that level during his tenure.

"I knew what he was capable of," James told cleveland.com. "I've had a long history with Coach Lue. ... I just always believed he was ready for the moment if the moment presented itself. I was just hoping we didn't lose him to another team. That was my thing, because I knew he was next in line [for a head job]. I was just hoping we didn't lose him to somebody else and obviously he's shown how valuable he is."

The results have borne out James' assessment.

"Just look at him. Look at how we respond to him," James Jones said. "You can tell a lot about a person by the way people respond to them. On this team, guys are laying it on the line. I don't know if you notice in games, but our guys are reaching levels physically that they haven't reached in two years.

"He connects with us and he's done a great job of helping us connect the dots and see the plan, the vision and how every step is necessary."

Chris Haynes/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Tags: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Tyronn Lue Urged Cavs Not To Fire David Blatt

May 29, 2016 2:01 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers' decision to fire David Blatt shortly before the All-Star break reset their season and eventually led them to play dominating basketball in these playoffs.

When David Griffin informed Tyronn Lue of their decision to fire Blatt, the response was pointed.

"This is f----- up, Griff," Lue said To Griffin.

Griffin calmly asked Lue if he would take over as head coach.

Lue pleaded with Griffin for several minutes that firing Blatt was an excessive move considering the Cavaliers held a 30-11 record. Griffin told Lue the decision had already been made.

"What's done is done. I'm asking you if you can lead this team?" asked Griffin.

"Yeah, I can f---ing lead this team," replied Lue.

Lue reflected back to that time period following the Cavaliers' win to advance to The Finals.

"I was like, 'what the f---.' That was my initial thought," Lue told cleveland.com. "I didn't see it coming. I couldn't believe it. But, you're prepared because you've done the coaching interviews and you have your philosophies. But to fire the head coach and you take over the next day with no practice or anything and you have the Chicago Bulls coming in. It was overwhelming."

 

Dan Gilbert has been reluctant to comment on the firing, but finally did after Game 6.

"I just think it was a great decision that was made," Gilbert said to cleveland.com. "You never know what would happen any other way, but I think [Lue is] fantastic. It's rare that a guy knows the game and has people skills. You get both with him, like offense and defense almost. He's a special guy."

Chris Haynes/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bismack Biyombo Would Have Been Suspended For Game 7

May 27, 2016 11:05 PM

Bismack Biyombo would have been suspended for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals after picking up his fourth Flagrant Foul points of the playoffs.

Biyombo hit the chin of Kevin Love while scoring a basket for the Raptors. After Love went down to the floor, referees reviewed the play and ruled it a flagrant foul penalty 1, which also took away the basket scored by Biyombo.

The NBA could rescind the flagrant foul call after reviewing it further, but the Cavaliers eliminated the Raptors with the win in Game 6.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Bismack Biyombo, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Suspension, NBA Playoffs

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LeBron: I Didn't Believe This Series Would Become An Adverse Situation

May 27, 2016 6:51 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost Games 3 and 4 at the Toronto Raptors in somewhat surprising fashion as they were expected to comfortably win the series to advance to The Finals.

"I've been a part of some really adverse situations, and I just didn't believe that this was one of them," James said after Game 5.

James and the Cavaliers have won the three home games in the series by 31, 19 and 38 points.

Joe Vardon/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA

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Kyrie Irving Admits Toronto Crowd Made Him Discombulated

May 26, 2016 9:00 PM

Kyrie Irving acknowledged the noise in the Air Canada Centre during Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals was a factor in the way he played, leaving him discombobulated.

"It was really, really loud," Irving said late Wednesday. "I know I probably wasn't the only guy that felt that way."

LeBron James openly says the way the Cleveland Cavaliers play starts with Irving.

"It all starts with our floor general," James said after their Game 5 win in Cleveland with Irving sitting beside him.

"I had to take a step back," Irving said.

Shams Charania/The Vertical

Tags: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, NBA

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Kevin Love Expects To Play In Game 5 After Stepping On Ref's Foot

May 24, 2016 10:15 AM

Kevin Love sat out the entire fourth quarter of the Cleveland Cavaliers' Game 4 loss to the Toronto Raptors after stepping on a referee's foot.

Love injured the knee more than the ankle with the accident.

"I think Kyrie [Irving] was shooting towards the end of the third quarter, and I stepped on the official's foot, and it didn't feel too great," said Love, who had a total of 13 points and 11 rebounds in Games 3 and 4. "More so the knee [than the ankle hurting]. Will be sore tomorrow, but nothing that will prevent me from playing."

Love suffered a season-ending injury in last year's playoffs when he hurt his shoulder.

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Tags: Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Injury

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LeBron James Pays Dahntay Jones' $80.17 Game 4 Fine

May 24, 2016 1:38 AM

LeBron James will pay Dahntay Jones' fine for punching Bismack Biyombo in the groin.

Jones' fine is equal to 1/110 of his 2015-16 salary, which was only $8,800 because he was signed on the final day of the regular season. Jones' $80.17 fine is less than his $127 per diem.

"It is what it is, man," Jones told ESPN.com before the Cavs' shootaround Monday morning. "Can't get too upset about it. It's unfortunate, but it is what it is."

Jones said he was interviewed by the league as part of its investigation into the incident.

"They asked me what happened, and I explained what happened, and they told me it was a unanimous decision that I did it with intent, even though I didn't look," Jones said to ESPN.com.

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA

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Dahntay Jones Suspended For Game 4 For Striking Biyombo

May 22, 2016 9:25 PM

Dahntay Jones has been suspended one game without pay for striking Bismack Biyombo in the groin, it was announced by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 17.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Raptors’ 99-84 win over the Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 21 at Air Canada Centre. Jones will serve his suspension on Monday, May 23 during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Dahntay Jones, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Suspension

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LeBron James Quotes Jay-Z Line When Describing Mentality On Fouls

May 22, 2016 12:31 PM

LeBron James was asked about his mentality when he's on the receiving end of fouls and his tendency not to react with physicality back towards other players.

James told reporters he plays a couple of lines from Jay-Z's "Streets is Watching" in his head.

“I always think back to the Jay Z phrase, and a line he had of, ‘If I shoot you, then I’m brainless. If you shoot me, you’re famous. What am I to do?’ So, that always plays in my head any time I feel like I want to react. I’ve got to keep my brain.”

James said he carries that mentality because of something that happened to him in high school.

“At the end of the day, I'm important to this team. I can't afford to react in any kind of way that will get me thrown out of a game, but I will protect myself,” James continued. “I will protect myself. When I was in high school, I got low-bridged playing in an AAU tournament as a junior in high school. A kid just low-bridged me and I fell and broke my wrist. That kind of thought always plays in my mind either when I'm getting thrown to the ground or if it's a borderline dirty play.”

Sports Illustrated

Tags: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA

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Cavs' Big 3 On 'Same Wavelength' As Partnership Evolves

May 18, 2016 12:54 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers remain unbeaten in the playoffs as a greater level of chemistry has formed between LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

“It’s them being on the same wavelength, a new trust level where LeBron understands what Kyrie and Kevin are trying to do,” James Jones told The Vertical. “Chemistry evolves. [James] wants Kyrie to, ‘Go.’ When you look at the great tandems in this league, the great Big Threes, they continue to get better over time.

“Our core guys – LeBron, Kyrie, Kevin, and so on – have just started to find a greater level of chemistry.”

“Go Kyrie, go,” teammates heard James telling Irving in Game 1.

Irving had 27 points and five assists in Game 1.

Shams Charania/The Vertical

Tags: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Terrence Ross: Cavs Not A 'Super Team' To Fear

Chris Haynes/Cleveland Plain Dealer

LeBron James Credits Not Eating Pork For Health, Performance

Chris Haynes/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Kevin Love's Surge Influenced By Challenge From Tyronn Lue

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tyronn Lue Defends Cavs' Pursuit Of Three-Point Record In Game 2

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

LeBron James Already Thinking About Playing Heat In ECF

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

LeBron James' Space Jam 2 Moves Closer To Becoming Reality

Rebecca Ford/Hollywood Reporter