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What's the story?
Cleveland Cavaliers' head coach Tyronn Lue will step back from coaching to focus on his deteriorating health, the Cavaliers announced in a press conference today.
In case you didn't know
Tyronn Lue left Saturday night's 114-109 win over the Chicago Bulls with an illness. This is the third time in the 2017-18 regular season that Lue missed a game because of ill health.
Heart of the matter
Lue issued the following statement today:
After many conversations with our doctors and Koby and much thought given to what is best for the team and my health, I need to step back from coaching for the time being and focus on trying to establish a stronger and healthier foundation from which to coach for the rest of the season. I have had chest pains and other troubling symptoms, compounded by a loss of sleep, throughout the year. Despite a battery of tests, there have been no conclusions as to what the exact issue is. While I have tried to work through it, the last thing I want is for it to affect the team. I am going to use this time to focus on a prescribed routine and medication, which has previously been difficult to start in the midst of a season. My goal is to come out of it a stronger and healthier version of myself so I can continue to lead this team to the Championship we are all working towards. I greatly appreciate Dan Gilbert, Koby Altman, our medical team and the organization's support throughout.
Koby Altman, the Cavs' general manager was quoted as saying:
We know how difficult these circumstances are for Coach Lue and we support him totally in this focused approach to addressing his health issues.
What's next?
The Cavaliers are slated to host the Milwaukee Bucks in a battle for supremacy in the Central Division. They have 12 regular season games remaining before tipoff at the first round of playoff games on 14th April.
Author's take
Ill health has forced the likes of Steve Kerr to have length layoffs in the recent past. In the absence of concrete knowledge about what condition afflicts Lue, it is tough to place a timeline on his return to the game. As basketball fans, one would hope that Lue comes back in the best of health to lead the Cavaliers to a fourth successive NBA Finals appearance in the shortest possible timeframe.
