Interim manager of goals Jacque Vaughn has a great chance of getting a permanent assignment, considered one of the best NBA gigs this off season due to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
But if the nets go in another direction, many point to Tyronn Lue as the best possible candidate. And it is partly because of his relationship with Irving and how he has already demonstrated his ability not only to manage but to win with the mercurial star of the Networks.
“If I was able to hire whoever I wanted to hire for network work next year, that’s a problem: Tyronn Lue. I would have Tyronn Lue based on the relationship [with Irving]”ESPN analyst Jalen Rose told The Post.” He is an assistant of the Clippers, probably this year he will have a championship; I shouldn’t even think twice. “
It is Vaughn’s relationship with GM Sean Marks of the networks – which brought him to Brooklyn, the third time they have worked together since 2011 in San Antonio – that has seen him among the favorites of names like Lue and Mark Jackson.
But Vaughn was only 58-158 in Orlando, although he was 2-0 as an intermediate going to the Brooklyn restart. Lue’s curriculum is much broader.
Lue was 128-83 with Cleveland, adding three NBA finals and a 2016 title won with Irving and LeBron James. That pedigree is why some say it is safer for a team to enter its championship window.
“I [remember] Jacque in college. I played against Jacque, “said Rose.” I like Jacque, and that’s not personal for Jacque. [But] if I have a blank canvas of who I am giving the job, I am giving it to Tyronn Lue. I’m not playing. I have no years to play.
“KD is coming out seriously injured; Giannis [Antetokounmpo] it is still in the East; Boston continues to improve, [Jayson] Tatum continues to grow; Philadelphia is still a joker [Joel] Embiid; Toronto is the defending champion; Indiana has [Malcolm] Brogdon e [Victor] Oladipo. I have no time to joke. “
ESPN fellow analyst Kendrick Perkins – who played with Irving in Cleveland and Durant in Oklahoma City – agreed to baffle his former manager as the best option for Brooklyn, largely due to his history with Irving.
“The nets should watch Ty Lue !!! Kyrie had her best years playing with head coach TLue and they went on to 3 consecutive finals, “Perkins tweeted after the nets split with Kenny Atkinson. “He always put Kyrie in a position to succeed and oh yes, he designed a comedy for Kyrie which was one of the biggest throws in NBA history!”
And Rose cited that relationship with Irving as vital, an ability to mentally navigate Irving’s bad days.
Training the stars is difficult, as Atkinson learned. Considering Irving’s bad exit from Boston – and questions about his coacibility – Lue’s cache could prove crucial.
“I like Jacque. He has had a couple of opportunities and I’m not saying you don’t deserve another, “said Rose.” But if I were looking for someone who could immediately put them in a position to contend in the East along with their talent, I would give Ty Lue the job.
“I need someone on the sidelines who can watch Kyrie face to face when he is not having his best day emotionally and psychologically, why – guess what? – all of us are human beings and we have those days. Immediately gain the respect of your two best players. “
And Rose wouldn’t stop taking only one Clipper assistant.
“If I am Ty Lue and they give me the concert, I will go into Doc Rivers’ office [say] You know how much we love you, but I’m taking Sam [Cassell]also, “said Rose, who will host next month’s JRLA Celebrity Golf Classic in Detroit.” This is what they are supposed to do. This is what my team would be like, led by those two guys. “
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