Yesterday, the NBA clarified that new Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue would be eligible to coach the Eastern Conference All-Star team despite only just taking over for David Blatt. At his pregame media session before his first game as Cavs head coach, Lue had another, completely implausible idea that the league has already shot down: let Blatt do it.
Via Cleveland.com’s Chris Haynes:“I talked to P.J. Carlesimo about it this morning and I told him I think Coach Blatt should coach it,” Lue said. “The NBA has been trying to work around some different things for the All-Star Game and he’s done a great job here. We’re first in the East and I think it would be sweet if Coach Blatt could coach the All-Star Game one last time.”
It would have been a nice gesture on Lue’s part, but a source within the league office shot down that possibility and said it was not possible. “He’s not a coach in the league,” the source said.The reasons why this could never happen are obvious, but for pure entertainment value, who would object? Imagine LeBron James overruling a Blatt play call or deciding to sub himself into or out of the All-Star game. The All-Star game is rarely memorable as it is. This would change that, as awkward as it would be.
