Tony Cartagena covers the Cleveland Cavaliers for ESPN 850 WKNR
CLEVELAND – Tyronn Lue, publicly, is a very mild-mannered professional.
Sure, he’s active and engaged while commanding the team during games. He openly admits that when the time calls for it, he’s not afraid to raise his voice and tear into any one of his players. But sometimes during intense moments, you’ll see him seated on the bench while pointing out orders and play calls. Calm, cool and collected.
Following a loss, he’s humbled. After a win, he’s subtle.
At least he used to be.
The head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers will no longer emulate one of his mentors, Doc Rivers, in celebration of a victory.
Translation: While Lue is in front of the camera, whether walking through the arena hallways or addressing the media in a post-game press conference, his tie will remain tied tight.
Until the second he steps back into the privacy of the locker room, that is.
Previously, Lue used to undo his tie a bit right after a win, giving his neck some room to breathe, signifying a successful yet hard day at the office.
He picked up the small mannerism from Rivers, the current head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers. Lue branches out from the Rivers coaching tree after learning under him in Boston and LA before accepting an assistant coaching job with the Cavaliers two summers ago.
Rivers was one of the first people to contact Lue after learning that he was promoted to head coach just two weeks ago. Expressing that he knew he was ready for the opportunity.
Tenured assistant coach Jim Boylan jokingly told Lue that unknotting his tie, even in the slightest, before a presser is “unprofessional.”
Lue laughed as he recalled the interaction to ESPN Cleveland. Saying that he knows he picked up the habit from a great coach in Rivers, but for now he’s going to listen to coach Boylan and wait.
Undoubtedly the sign of a close knit coaching staff, and locker room, continually growing closer spiritually.
After telling the story outside of the Cavs’ locker room, Lue walked into the doorway and the first thing he did was extend his hands towards his neck, free to finally relax, take a deep breath and embrace the moment.
Celebrating with Cleveland State: Speaking of ties, LeBron James wore a skinny one while attending the jersey retirement ceremony of former Miami Heat teammate, Norris Cole, prior to the Vikings matchup against Oakland Saturday afternoon.
James refrained from addressing the Wolstein Center crowd, the event wasn’t about him, but he did sit courtside for the first-half and exchanged words with Cole before and after his No.30 banner was raised into the rafters.
“A guy gets his jersey retired he should feel really good about himself,” James said regarding Cole’s 26-point performance against Cleveland. “Norris is a great competitor and it’s like a hometown game for him as well. He played exceptional basketball.”
Despite losing in improbable fashion to the Boston Celtics the previous night, James added that there was no doubt in his mind he’d make time in his schedule to attend the ceremony. Cole won two championships alongside James while playing for the Miami Heat.
He grinned from ear-to-ear while observing the jersey retirement, unafraid to snap pictures and immediately post to social media.
In addition to the commemorative bobble-head handed out to Vikings’ fans at the door, the overall experience was definitely worth the price of admission.
“Congrats lil bro,” James wrote on his Instagram account with a photo of Norris’ banner. “Truly an amazing accomplishment! Will forever be remembered.”
Nearly 180,000 fans have double-tapped to like the image.