On November 14, the Clippers lost their sixth consecutive game, following the transfer of James Harden. Tyron Lue said he was facing his “most complicated challenge as a coach”. Almost two months later, things have changed a lot since Los Angeles has the best record in the league (18 wins – 5 losses), tied with the Celtics, since this famous series of inaugural defeats…
James Harden even wonders where those who criticized him have gone, while the Clippers have returned to the Top 4 of the Western Conference (21 wins – 12 losses).
Communication at the root of everything
With the help of Russell Westbrook, who agreed to become a replacement, Tyronn Lue seems to have pressed all the right buttons for two months, finding a balance around Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden with Terance Mann and Ivica Zubac. With a simple recipe that is the strength of the Californian coach: communication.
“That’s how it is with T. Lue, he talks to you”, explains Terance Mann. “I feel like everyone in this gym knows what their role is and what they need to bring to the team. And that's because we have a coach who will let you know before making his concrete choices. »
However, the “head coach” could have been shaken up in his method following the arrival of James Harden. But he found a smile again after a difficult last season.
“Last year was difficult because of injuries”he admits. “We have some great players who, you know, haven't had a chance. Repeated injuries. The lineups kept changing. The fact that PG and Kawhi have been healthy since the start of the season has been good for us. Now we can find a rhythm, build things on both ends of the pitch. Work on rotations. It is the most important. »
Team USA, a breath of fresh air
Last March, Tyronn Lue also confided having lost seven members of his family, in Missouri, in a few months. However, in order to keep the Clippers afloat, he had not been able to attend any funerals.
A very difficult situation to live with, especially since the Clippers were finally eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. It is in fact Team USA which will revive the coach. Even if the United States will fail in 4th place in the 2023 World Cup, Tyronn Lue will smile again with Steve Kerr, Erik Spoelstra and Mark Few.
“I think Team USA gave me a boost, to get up and move forward, activate my mind and prepare for training camp”he confided. “Now I’m ready to go.” Often, as a coach, when we arrive at camp, it takes us a little while to get going. »
