Lue: LeBron hasn't asked for special treatment as Phil suggested
Head coach Tyronn Lue, along with every other member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is standing in LeBron James' corner.
James, along with his good friend Carmelo Anthony, shot down insensitive comments made by New York Knicks president Phil Jackson about James and his business partners requiring special treatment - a sentiment Lue says is false.
"He hasn't asked for special treatment," Lue told Dave McMenamin of ESPN after Tuesday's narrow victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors. "We treat everyone the same around here. Everyone grown men, we treat everyone the same, and LeBron has never come to me and asked for special treatment or to do anything different."
"Come on," he added. "We know he's one of the all-time greatest players, and right now, he's the best player in the game. We know that and we acknowledge that, but LeBron doesn't want special treatment. It's really a big thing when you're a leader and you want to stand in instead of stand out all the time.
"There's times where we have to come in together as a group, not who is the best player or worst player, but a team, one through 15, you have to be a tight-knit group, and LeBron understands that. He doesn't want that kind of treatment."
Jackson characterized those around James as being his "posse," which struck a nerve with the group. He pointed out that him and his friends being "young African-Americans trying to make a difference" is what prompted the word.
Tristan Thompson appreciated the way he stood up for his friends-turned-associates - a group that includes the likes of his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.
"He's always been like that," Thompson said. "He's all about team and family so you got to be very appreciative and always say 'thank you' because I've been on other teams where we haven't got s---, so he always looks out for us and makes sure everyone is well taken care of ...
"I've never met a human being at that level that cares so much about others. So Phil Jackson's got his comments, it is what it is, but ... I'm rolling with him. I'm rolling with 'Bron."