The Cavaliers’ problems are clear from the other side of the globe.
After Tyronn Lue’s crew gave up a stunning 148 points to the Thunder on Saturday, the man he replaced took a little swipe at the defense he left behind.
“I hope we don’t give up as many points as Cleveland did last night,” said David Blatt, who was coaching an All-Star Game in Turkey on Sunday, according to Sportando.
It has gotten that ugly in Cleveland, and now Lue could meet the same fate as Blatt.
The Cavs were unable to stop Paul George, Russell Westbrook or Carmelo Anthony, getting embarrassed 148-124 by the Thunder, who tied the record for the most points given up by a Cleveland team in a regulation game. Philadelphia scored 148 on the Cavs in 1972.
“I’ve never in my basketball life gave up 148 points, not even probably playing video games,” James said. “They got everything that they wanted. Inside, outside, they had it moving.”
On Sunday, Lue said he isn’t changing his starting lineup or rotations despite Cleveland having lost 10 of 14 and getting blown out three times in the past week.
After the latest humiliation, James did not exactly endorse Lue as coach, after he took over for the fired Blatt midway through the 2015-16 season.
“I would hope not, but I really don’t know,” James said when asked if Lue could be fired. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with our team. I have no idea what conversations have been going on. Me personally, I’ve been trying to stay as laser-sharp as I can to keep my guys ready to go out and play.
“Obviously, it hasn’t resulted in wins, but I got to stay as fresh mentally as much I can with the struggles. I can’t worry about job securities and trades and things of that nature. I just stay as focused as I can every night to go out and compete and try to help us win ballgames.”