Cavs coach Tyronn Lue dismissed criticism about his decision to play LeBron James 43.8 minutes per game during Cleveland's first-round sweep of the Pacers.
"He had a week off before the series [against Indiana] started", Lue said of the 32-year-old James (via the Associated Press).
Leading the league in minutes may be a concern for some, but James has displayed superhuman-like durability his entire career.
Lue was smiling when he made the 48-minute comment, but he has some valid points regarding James' playing time. That sounds like an awesome party.
With the emergence of analytics in pro basketball, teams are trying to limit their star players' minutes - particularly as they age.
"Other teams are suffering because they listen to what the media is saying about guys playing minutes". He said he feels great. He feels worse when he doesn't play. "We'll see how it goes".
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"We've just got to gauge it and see how he feels", Lue said. He didn't really have a defensive assignment. He was able to roam off guys during the series. Lue also said that giving LeBron heavy minutes during the regular season "has helped him in the playoffs". "Now he is able to play those 42, 43 minutes. His body can take it, so, I'm not anxious about what outside people say".
James didn't speak with the media Wednesday, but his play certainly didn't suffer in the first round. But, at the same time, he averaged 32.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 9 assists while shooting 54 percent from the field in the first round. He now gets to rest until the end of the Milwaukee Bucks-Toronto Raptors series that will go at least 6 games in the opening round.
Now the Cavs say James' in-game workload because neither he nor the team practiced much during the season. East teams in the playoffs over the last three years, didn't have to ride anyone else almost as hard against Indiana. Other than J.R. Smith (28.8), no one else averaged more than 17.3 minutes.
"I mean, that is, man, that is like an emergency glass, break just in case, if the situation calls for it to play 48 minutes", Irving said. "A lot of guys are taking care of their body".
In an ideal world, James won't have to play as many minutes in the conference semifinals.
As for James possibly being a bit more depleted than necessary coming into the postseason, Lue put a positive spin Wednesday on the league-leading workload. They were outscored by 12 points in the 17 minutes he Saturday. These two superstars went at it, but James ending this series in four was just what Lue needed.
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