The Los Angeles Clippers’ coach, Tyronn Lue, was a top candidate to be the Lakers’ coach in 2019. However, he turned down the offer because he felt disrespected. The following year, he was appointed as the coach of the Clippers in 2020. Despite this, LeBron James and Lue shared a positive relationship.
The Lakers offered Tyronn Lue a three-year deal with less pay and wanted control over his coaching staff, which he didn’t accept. Despite this, James and Lue had a strong bond. LeBron even called Lue twice, offering support and asking how he could help fix things.
On a recent show with Stephen A. Smith, Lue shared, “He did, and he called me twice. He called me, ‘What do I have to do? I said, ‘No, I want them to respect me. I don’t want to have to go to you to get my deal done; if they don’t respect me like I should be respected, then it’s okay.”
Ty Lue added, “He wasn’t pissed off; he wasn’t mad about it, but he and Rich Paul both stepped in and said, ‘What are we going to do to get it done?’ I didn’t like the way it was handled.”
LeBron James drops retirement hint
LeBron James pointed out that he might not be in the NBA for much longer after the Lakers’ game against the Atlanta Hawks, in which he scored 39 points.
In the press meeting, he said, “I don’t know. I just go out there and play the game the right way. I compete at a high level and leave it all on the court every time I go out there. My time is very limited, on how long I’ll play, so I’m just happy to still be able to play the game that I love.”
LeBron James when asked if fans appreciate what he does at 39 years old, after registering a 39-point triple-double in a LOSS vs. Atlanta:
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) December 7, 2024
“My time is very limited on how long I’ll play. So, I’m just happy to still be able to play the game that I love.”
How much time does… pic.twitter.com/H2ekHX8XG4
At almost 40 years old, LeBron James still plays really well, but playing back-to-back games can be tough for him. However, he still wants to play in all 82 games this NBA season.
