Although not possible, Lue says Blatt should coach All-Stars
Newly-minted Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue thinks he can coach better than his dismissed predecessor David Blatt, but apparently he also believes that a 30-11 record and first place in the Eastern Conference is worth something.
Lue told reporters before his coaching debut Saturday against the Chicago Bulls that Blatt, fired Friday, should coach the East in next month's All-Star Game.
Tyronn Lue says he thinks David Blatt should coach the All-Star game next month in Toronto. He's not sure how realistic that is.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 23, 2016
Had Blatt still been coaching the Cavaliers and they held on to the best record in the Eastern Conference after Jan. 31, he would have been coaching the All-Star team.
However, NBA rules stipulate the gig goes to the head coach of the team - whoever it is that officially holds the position - in first place on Jan. 31, unless they did it the season before.
It becomes a moot point, but there's also the potential for extreme awkwardness with Lue's suggestion.
Meanwhile out West, the league continues to look into whether Golden State Warriors interim coach Luke Walton - who led the Dubs to a 39-4 record before Steve Kerr's return Friday - is eligible to coach the Western Conference.