Tyronn Lue will coach the Eastern Conference All-Stars
Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue will take the helm for the Eastern Conference in the 2016 NBA All-Star Game.
Lue, a former assistant who replaced David Blatt as Cavs head coach on Friday, has coached the team to a 2–1 record in his first three games. He now takes over with the East, whose roster includes Cavs star LeBron James.
League rules stipulate that head coaches whose teams have the best record in each conference two weeks prior to the All-Star Game receive the opportunity to lead their conference’s All-Stars. The Cavaliers clinched the best record through Jan. 31 after defeating the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, 115–93. Given Lue’s brief tenure at the helm, there was speculation the league could give Raptors coach Dwane Casey the nod, given that the game will take place on his team’s home floor.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovichwill coach the Western Conference, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr ineligible after coaching last season and the league opting not to tap former interim head coach Luke Walton, who led Golden State to a 39–4 record as Kerr sat with a back injury.
The 2016 All-Star game, the first held outside the U.S., takes place in Toronto on Feb. 14. and will be televised on TNT. Full rosters will be announced Thursday night.
- Jeremy Woo
