Tyronn Lue borrows coaching tactic from Phil Jackson

Tyronn Lue was never one of the greatest players in the NBA, but he had an opportunity to learn from some of the greatest. During Monday's 111-106 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers, the fledgling Cleveland Cavaliers head coach tore a page out of Phil Jackson's book, opting not to burn a timeout during a particularly flat third-quarter stretch in which Cleveland was outscored 20-7.

"They was looking to me to bail them out," Lue said afterward, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "And I know I'm not in a position this early in my career, but I wouldn't call a timeout. And I wouldn't even look at them. I was like, 'Y'all dug this hole, then get out of it.'"

Jackson was notorious for doing the same thing when he coached the Los Angeles Lakers (including Lue from 1999 to 2001) and the Chicago Bulls.

"I know I ain't nowhere close to Phil, but that's something (of his)," Lue said. "You know, if we're going to play basketball the way we did in the third quarter, then we're not going to be able to beat teams. So I just wanted them guys to understand that and then figure it out. And then we kind of got it back in the fourth quarter."

One knock on fired former coach David Blatt was a reported unwillingness to verbally hold the team's top players accountable. That doesn't appear to be an issue for Lue, who played 11 seasons in the NBA.

"That's him telling us to grow up," center Tristan Thompson said. "I think it's just like when a father tells his son growing up when he's going through tough times, 'Suck it up and pull your socks up and get it together.' I think that's the same kind of approach he has with us."

For all the Cavaliers' success in reaching the NBA Finals last season, they are still a work in progress, especially as the team moves on with Lue. A reported players-only meeting after Blatt's firing was likened to "ripping off a scab" in one source's account.

"We're just learning how to win, that's all," James told reporters after Monday's victory. "We're learning how to win in tough situations, and tonight was one of those."