Tyronn Lue was a journeyman NBA player with an ability to connect with his teammates and even players from opposing teams.

Lue was teammates with the likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwight Howard.

"Man, he's a gamer," said James Jones. "Ty lives and breathes this game."

"There's nothing that he hasn't seen," LeBron James said. "He's played for Phil Jackson, he's coached with Doc [Rivers], he's been all over, so he has experience. We put our trust in him now."

Jackson, Rivers and Jerry West became Lue's trusted mentors.

One element the Cleveland Cavaliers' front office believes will always be there for Lue is the effort of the team.

 "They'll never lie down and take it again," the source said, "they're going to fight for this guy."