Tyronn Lue: 1st-place Cavs deserve more than 1 All-Star
Tyronn Lue wasn't happy when the Eastern Conference All-Star reserves were announced Thursday night.
Specifically, Lue scratched his head at his fellow coaches' decision to leave Kevin Love's name off the ballot.
"I just thought, in this league it's always been about winning and winning has always been rewarded," Lue said Friday, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
"Being No. 1 in the East and Kevin being one of four guys in the NBA to average a double-double on a winning team (there are actually seven such players in the league), I've just never seen being a first-place team and getting one guy in. I've never seen that before."
Love, a three-time All-Star with the Timberwolves, came up short for the second straight year as a member of the Cavaliers. The 27-year-old forward was instrumental to the Cavaliers' success in the early part of the season, but has since seen his role marginalized following the return of Kyrie Irving.
Through 44 games, Love is averaging 15.7 points and 10.8 rebounds, while connecting on 35.8 percent shooting from deep. His performance grades well in on-off numbers (plus-9.7 per 100 possessions) and several advanced statistics shine in his favor.
However, Love didn't exactly ingratiate himself in the eyes of fans when he submitted underwhelming showings against the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs over the past month.
Lue, however, does have a case based around the Cavaliers' success this season. Last year, four members of the East-leading Atlanta Hawks were named to the All-Star team. This season, the top-three teams in the West all had at least two all-stars, and even the second-place Toronto Raptors in the East got two representatives.
Love admitted it was a disappointment to not have his name called, but that others like Andre Drummond, Paul Millsap, and Chris Bosh are fine selections in their own right.
"I think there's a lot of good players in the East," Love said. "I've said that all along, especially at the forward position, too, with the starters. I think it's a good team on both sides."
Instead, amid all the turmoil, the only Cavalier on the court for the All-Star Game will be LeBron James, and flanking him with a sterling record of 2-1, will be Lue holding the clipboard.