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Cavs coach Tyronn Lue: LeBron's effort ‘remarkable’ since meeting

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue says LeBron James’s performance since their meeting about his recent behavior has been “remarkable.”
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Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue says LeBron James’s performance since their meeting about his recent behavior has been “remarkable,” according to ESPN.

“Just I think, getting closer to the playoffs, he’s becoming more serious and focused on getting ready, trying to hit that stride,” Lue said.

“We talked about it. I’d rather not say. We talked about it, and now my focus is on winning games going forward. LeBron is the leader of this team. We had a great talk, and that’s it.”

Watch: LeBron James pokes fun at media scrutiny in Vine

On Thursday night, James scored 30 points with six rebounds and five assists in the Cavaliers’ 104–95 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. In three games since his meeting with Lue, James is averaging 29.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists. 

Lue and general manager David Griffin called the meeting after James made news for unfollowing the team’s social media accounts and telling the media he would like to play on a team with Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade someday. James was seen talking with Wade on the sideline of Cleveland’s loss to the Heat on Saturday instead of warming up with the team.

• Carmelo Anthony on playing with LeBron James: ‘I’ll take a pay cut’

Lue said James apologized for his actions during the meeting.

“I just need to do more,” James said Thursday of his performance as the team approaches the playoffs. “Just need to do more, and I have been able to do that, except for tonight, for the most part.”

The Cavaliers are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference with a 51–21 record.

- Erin Flynn