The season opening between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics is eagerly awaited, not just since the Kyrie Irving-Trade.Cavs coach Tyronn Lue has now tried to play down the meaning.
“I know that both teams want to see each other, but at the end of the day you don’t win a title because you win or lose the first game.We’re ready for the game, we’re looking forward to it, but the game against Boston is not our main focus.”
Meanwhile, one factor that could dampen the importance of the game is LeBron James’s health – and it is still not clear whether he will play on Wednesday night,”He took part in about a quarter of the training,” said Lue,”he is getting older, just like me.Lue said that he only knew James was playing.
Even without the four-time MVP, however, the coach expects more from his team than in the past three years:”In games that James paused, Cleveland had a weak 4-23 record, and I think we’ll be much better,”said Lue, adding that “we’ve managed to get some parts deeper.We have versatile players and can try different lineups.and we should have a better chance if LeBron is missing.”
When asked how Lue would defend his ex-player Irving, he just grinned:”Come on, do you really think I’d tell?” But the coach still had praise for the new Celtic:”He’s still unstoppable.He’s the same player, except for another team.He has no weaknesses on the offensive.”