LeBron answers Pistons' Van Gundy, Johnson
Notes from April 19th's Cavs practice
LeBron James responds to Stan Van Gundy and Stanley Johnson's comments
Following the first quarter of Game 1, Van Gundy voiced his frustrations with lack of offensive calls on James during Sunday's broadcast: "Our guys, they've got to understand--LeBron's LeBron. They're not going to call offensive fouls on him. He gets to do what he wants."
LeBron's retort? He won't change anything.
LeBron James responds to Stan Van Gundy's comments during game one. #Cavs#Pistons#NBAPlayoffspic.twitter.com/gmLDflMSuB
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 19, 2016
LeBron on how hard it is for refs to call charge/block for somebody his size & speed. #Cavs#Pistons#NBAPlayoffspic.twitter.com/LdYGZCXqPe — Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 19, 2016
"At the end of the day, the game is played in between the four lines," James said. "That's all that matters."
Another person who took issue with James' aggressive play is Pistons rookie Stanley Johnson, who said LeBron got some calls to go his way that he didn't on similar plays.
LeBron was asked about those words and brushed it off.
LeBron James on Stanley Johnson's complaints after game one. #Cavs#Pistons#NBAPlayoffspic.twitter.com/Z2nMySbQBH
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 19, 2016
For the four-time MVP, it's all about Cleveland and Detroit in the heat of a battle to advance, not meaningless one-on-one rivalries.
LeBron reiterates that he's not in an individual matchup with any "Stan" the #Pistons possess. #Cavs#NBAPlayoffspic.twitter.com/Ebu1JTdMGJ — Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 19, 2016
Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue on Game 1
Did he expect the Pistons to play the way they did?
Did #Pistons play how Tyronn Lue expected them to vs. #Cavs in Game 1? #NBAPlayoffspic.twitter.com/6L7gpjJNCV
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 19, 2016
Lue mentioned "blitzing" the dangerous pick-and-roll between Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond on defense. He's fine with forcing Detroit to shoot a high clip rather than get the Pistons' duo into an offensive rhythm.
As far as on the offensive side of things, Lue said the Cavs' number one focus should be to attack the basket, but it's difficult with Detroit's bigs awaiting them underneath. What's the fix for that?
Tyronn Lue on how #Cavs can beat #Pistons when they clog the lane on defense. #NBAPlayoffspic.twitter.com/J0jEiZ8EqK — Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 19, 2016
Richard Jefferson came up big in the fourth quarter when Cleveland trailed by seven early on. Lue spoke highly of the veteran for his professionalism and ability to produce when his name was called.
Tyronn Lue praising the efforts of Richard Jefferson this season and in Game 1. #Cavs#Pistons#NBAPlayoffspic.twitter.com/IojFdUyBsy
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 19, 2016
"Just a first-class professional," Lue said. "With RJ, you can talk to him and tell him 'I'm going to play you this game, not going to play you this game' and he's fine with it.
"You put him in the game and he's like James Jones. He's always ready to play, always ready to contribute. It's great having those type of guys around."
