Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue has had a heck of a season sitting in his tall chair on the Cavs sidelines. In March, Lue stepped away from the team for a few weeks to be treated for anxiety. (Professional sports coaching is a big time stressful occupation, even if the compensation package is sweet). But Lue’s emotions during coaching are still arguably less banged up than his body was during his playing days. Lue played 11 seasons in the NBA, and has had three knee surgeries as a result. Thus, the big high chair — it’s actually a chair with a booster cushion. Lue’s knees lock up sometimes, and he has to allow them to extend and not get stuck in a bent position.
Lue, of course, isn’t the first coach to use the high chair technique on the sideline. His former coach, legendary Zen master Phil Jackson, also used the tall chair on the sidelines. Jackson’s body was similarly wrecked from years of playing. The difference visually, however, is striking: Jackson stood 6’9″ while Lue is just 6-feet tall. Consequently, Lue looks a little more like he’s using the extra chair boost to look LeBron James in the eye. But that’s not it. Lue’s chair is to ease his pain and help his mobility. And Lue is pretty good at remaining calm and sitting in that chair no matter what happens on the court during the game. The way the Cavs are playing lately, he looks a little higher up every time you see him.
Can someone tell me why Ty Lue sits in a taller chair than the other coaches? pic.twitter.com/RKvTceSNlG
— Mike Armstrong (@mdarmstrong) June 1, 2018
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