Pelicans first-year coach Stan Van Gundy was hired less than two months before the Pelicans first preseason game earlier this week. Never mind that he's taking over a roster that is loaded with young players and has been entirely overhauled since New Orleans hired David Griffin as executive vice president of basketball operations in 2019. So when Van Gundy was asked whether he expected to have a clear vision for individual players' roles and minutes during the preseason, he didn't hesitate to say he did not even expect to know that when New Orleans' regular season slate opens on Dec. 23. “I’m not sure I’ll be there on Jan. 15 either. It’s going to take some time," Van Gundy continued. "I want these guys in a mindset of competing and having to produce for minutes.” While coaches with overhauled rosters face similar challenges trying to navigate a compressed timeline that is loaded with uncertainty, it's even more difficult for Van Gundy and the eight other NBA teams with new coaches this... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — New Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has finalized his staff for the upcoming NBA season. Dan Craig was hired as associate head coach, along with assistants Kenny Atkinson, Chauncey Billups, Larry Drew and Roy Rogers. Assistants Jeremy Castleberry and Brendan O’Connor are holdovers from the staff of Doc Rivers, who left and took the head coaching job in Philadelphia. Cam Hodges, Shaun Fein, Dahntay Jones and Beau Levesque were hired in coaching and player development roles. Craig spent 17 seasons with the Miami Heat, including four years as an assistant coach. Atkinson spent the last four years as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, leading the team to a postseason berth in 2018-19. Billups joins the team he once played for after working as an NBA analyst for ESPN, and a Clippers game analyst for Prime Ticket. Drew spent six years with Cleveland, including one as head coach in 2018-19. Rogers was an assistant last season with the Chicago Bulls. Hodges worked last season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Fein spent the last four years with Brooklyn. Jones played 13 years in the NBA, winning a title with Cleveland in 2016. Levesque spent two years with the Brooklyn Nets. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Tyronn Lue returned to work humbled, changed and with a new perspective.Cleveland's coach has been rewired by a serious health scare.Lue was back on the sidelines Thursday night and had his blood pressure tested as the Cavaliers rallied to win in his first game following a medical absence that became necessary after he experienced "piercing" chest pains during two games this season.Now that he's feeling better, Lue even joked about his heart after the Cavs overcame a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the Washington Wizards 119-115."I told the guys after the game, 'Good job of bailing me out.' It was tough," Lue said. "First game back and not having a point guard and not knowing what sets to call and what to run because you haven't worked on it. Our rotations were a little off tonight so, I mean, I was rusty."Earlier in the day, Lue, who guided the Cavs to an NBA title in 2016, described his ordeal in some detail for the first time. Lue said he had... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Tyronn Lue is returning to work humbled, changed and with a new perspective.Cleveland's 40-year-old coach has been rewired by a health scare.Lue will be back on the sidelines Thursday night leading the Cavaliers following a medical absence after experiencing "piercing" chest pains during two games this season. Looking rested and relaxed, he described his ordeal in some detail for the first time following shootaround at the team's practice facility.Lue, who guided the Cavs to an NBA title in 2016, said he had been bothered by chest pains for more than a year, but when they worsened during a March 17 game in Chicago, he realized it was time to step away and get help."It's just the chest pains are very piercing, like, through the chest and around the rib area. So, it feels like you're having a heart attack," he said. "The doctor said, 'You might die, but it won't be from your heart.' So, that was a good thing to hear that my heart's in good shape. But it's just like... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue says "piercing" chest pains persuaded him to take a medical leave.He is returning to the sideline Thursday night after missing nine games. The 40-year-old coach says he's feeling much better. He has changed his diet and says the time off has given him new perspective.Lue hasn't coached since March 17, when he left a game at halftime in Chicago because of chest pains. Two days later, the team said he was taking a leave.Lue says the best advice he received during his leave was from Steve Kerr. The Golden State coach stressed that Lue take his time and put his "health first." Says Kerr: "We get so wrapped up in the game that we forget about real life."The Cavs went 8-1 under assistant Larry Drew while Lue was away.___More AP basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tyronn Lue is rejoining the Cavaliers' disjointed season.Cleveland's coach is expected to return from a medical absence and be back on the bench Thursday night against Washington, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Lue, who has been away from the team since March 19 so he could focus on his health, has been cleared to resume his duties, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.Lue had been experiencing chest pains, insomnia and other symptoms when he agreed to take a leave of absence from the three-time defending Eastern Conference champions. Lue's illness is among several setbacks this season for the Cavs, who have encountered numerous injuries and revamped their roster with three trades in February.The 40-year-old Lue is coming back with four games left in the regular season and the Cavs clinging to the No. 3 seed in the postseason. After hosting the Wizards, the Cavs will... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the decision says Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is expected to resume his duties on Thursday against Washington.Lue, who has been away from the team since March 19 because of health issues, will be back on the bench when the Cavs host the Wizards, said the person, who spoke Wednesday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.Lue announced he was taking medical leave on March 19 after experiencing chest pains and other symptoms this season. The 40-year-old recently returned to the team in an advisory role but stayed behind the scenes during games at Quicken Loans Arena. He has recently attended the team's shootarounds.While Lue was away, the Cavs went 8-1 under associate coach Larry Drew.Lue is in his third season with Cleveland. He replaced David Blatt midway through the 2016 season and guided the Cavs to an NBA title.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — It's two hours before tip-off, and Jose Calderon is working up a healthy sweat on the floor at Quicken Loans Arena.Then he retreats to the locker room to study. Sitting at his cubicle, just feet from where LeBron James dresses, Calderon watches video of that night's opponent on his phone or on a large TV mounted on the other side of the room.Calderon may play tonight — or sit. He never knows exactly. Either way, abiding by the Boy Scout's motto, he will be prepared."I know I got to be ready in any moment," he said.Now in his 13th season, Calderon is Cleveland's Jose-on-the-spot, a dependable player capable of starting, coming off the bench or pulling for his teammates from the bench as an extended member of the coaching staff.Invaluable. Trustworthy. At 36.On Friday night, Calderon was needed in the third quarter after starting point guard George Hill sprained his left ankle. Calderon sparked the Cavs to a 107-102 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, preventing Cleveland... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tyronn Lue is back around the Cavaliers.Cleveland's coach, who has been away from the team for medical reasons, attended Friday night's game against New Orleans. Lue is remaining off the floor, however, and not sitting on the bench. A team spokesman said Lue will likely watch the game from his office.Lue announced he was leaving the club on March 19, saying he experienced chest pains and "other troubling symptoms" this season. The 40-year-old missed two games earlier in the year with illness.Lue, who took over the Cavs midway through the 2016 season and guided them to an NBA championship, last coached in a game on March 17 in Chicago. But after the first half, he remained in the locker room and did not return.Associate head coach Larry Drew has been coaching the Cavaliers in Lue's absence and led them to a 5-1 record.Drew had lunch with Lue on Thursday and said the coach's condition — and mood — have improved."Ty was Ty," said Drew, who reported Lue at a healthy salad.... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Tyronn Lue is ready to take a step toward rejoining the Cavaliers.Cleveland's coach, who has taken a medical absence from the team, is expected to attend Friday night's game against New Orleans as an observer. Lue will not sit on the bench, but he will be inside Quicken Loans Arena after missing two weeks.Lue said he experienced chest pains and "other troubling symptoms" when the 40-year-old announced he was stepping away from the team on March 19 to address his health. He missed two games earlier in the year with illness.Lue, who took over the Cavs midway through the 2016 season and guided them to an NBA championship, last coached in a game on March 17 in Chicago. But after the first half, he remained in the locker room for the rest of the game.Associate head coach Larry Drew has been coaching the Cavaliers in Lue's absence and led them to a 5-1 record.It's still not clear when Lue will return to the team in a full capacity, but he could be back in the near future.Lue's... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is expected to attend the team's game against New Orleans as an observer.Lue won't sit on the bench when the Cavaliers host the Pelicans on Friday night.Lue, who did not attend the team's morning shootaround, has been on medical leave and missed the past six games. The 40-year-old stepped away from the team last week, saying he had been suffering from chest pains and insomnia this season.Lue last coached on March 17, when he left a game in Chicago at halftime.Associate head coach Larry Drew has been coaching the Cavaliers in Lue's absence.Kevin Love could return against the Pelicans after missing one game with a concussion.Kyle Korver has rejoined the team following his brother's funeral but won't play because of a sore right foot.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — A generation of kids wanted to be like Michael Jordan. They bought his red-and-black Nikes and sported his No. 23 Bulls jersey. They mimicked Jordan's spin move and fadeaway jumper and even wagged their tongues the way he did on a flight to the rim.While millions worshipped Jordan, only a handful entered his rarefied air.LeBron James lives there.Without a father in his life, James viewed Jordan as a role model and on Friday night the indomitable Cleveland Cavaliers star, playing at an MVP level in his 15th NBA season, likely will surpass a record held by a player he once admired "like a god."On Wednesday night in Charlotte, James equaled Jordan's NBA mark by scoring in double digits in 866 consecutive games, an extraordinary streak of consistency and durability that may not end until James wants it to. No one else seemingly can stop him.Once he scores 10 points against New Orleans, probably at some point in the first half Friday night, James will surpass Jordan's record... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — A generation of kids wanted to be like Michael Jordan. They bought his red-and-black Nikes and sported his No. 23 Bulls jersey. They mimicked Jordan's spin move and fadeaway jumper and even wagged their tongues the way he did on a flight to the rim.While millions worshipped Jordan, only a handful entered his rarefied air.LeBron James lives there.Without a father in his life, James viewed Jordan as a role model and on Friday night the indomitable Cleveland Cavaliers star, playing at an MVP level in his 15th NBA season, likely will surpass a record held by a player he once admired "like a god."On Wednesday night in Charlotte, James equaled Jordan's NBA mark by scoring in double digits in 866 consecutive games, an extraordinary streak of consistency and durability that may not end until James wants it to. No one else seemingly can stop him.Once he scores 10 points against New Orleans, probably at some point in the first half Friday night, James will surpass Jordan's record... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LeBron James has tied one of Michael Jordan's most impressive records with his 866th consecutive game with at least 10 points.James matched Jordan's 17-year-old mark Wednesday night against the Jordan-owned Charlotte Hornets when he scored on a powerful alley-oop dunk on a pass from J.R. Smith in the second quarter.The 33-year-old James began his streak on Jan. 6, 2007. He can break Jordan's record Friday night when the Cavaliers host the New Orleans Pelicans.James' accomplishments are often compared to those of Jordan, who many still believe is the greatest NBA player ever.Cavaliers associate head coach Larry Drew said before the game that it is a "phenomenal accomplishment," but added "there will be more records down the road that he will be breaking. ... if he continues to produce the numbers that he has been producing."Jordan set his streak from 1986-2001.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LeBron James has tied one of Michael Jordan's most impressive records with his 866th consecutive game with at least 10 points.James matched Jordan's 17-year-old mark Wednesday night against the Jordan-owned Charlotte Hornets when he scored on a powerful alley-oop dunk on a pass from J.R. Smith in the second quarter.The 33-year-old James can break Jordan's record Friday night when the Cavaliers host the New Orleans Pelicans.James' accomplishments are often compared to those of Jordan, who many still believe is the greatest NBA player ever.Cavaliers associate head coach Larry Drew said before the game that it is a "phenomenal accomplishment," but added "there will be more records down the road that he will be breaking. ... if he continues to produce the numbers that he has been producing."Jordan set his streak from 1986-2001.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love has entered the NBA's concussion protocol after being elbowed in the face.Love was struck by Miami's Jordan Mickey during Tuesday night's 98-79 loss to the Heat. He briefly returned to the floor, but experienced concussion-like symptoms at halftime. The Cavs said the All-Star will miss their game at Charlotte and his status will be updated when appropriate."He took a pretty good shot," Cavaliers associate head coach Larry Drew said Wednesday night. "And as is mentioned yesterday, we went in at halftime and the decision was made not to bring him back. You know it's unfortunate, we're just getting him back and then this happened. We just want to make sure that he's OK before we put him back out on the floor. It's unfortunate."Tristan Thompson was set to start against the Hornets.When asked if Love will require dental work, Drew replied: "I really don't know to be perfectly honest. I was told that one of his teeth was kind of pushed... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James has someone in mind for the MVP award this season.Himself.This is a season where prohibitive MVP favorite James Harden has done phenomenal things with NBA-leading Houston, where reigning MVP Russell Westbrook has been fantastic again for Oklahoma City, and where Anthony Davis has found a new stratosphere to take his game, especially after New Orleans lost DeMarcus Cousins.James raves about them all. But ..."I would vote for me," James told The Associated Press. "The body of work, how I'm doing it, what's been happening with our team all year long, how we've got so many injuries and things of that nature, guys in and out, to be able to still keep this thing afloat, I definitely would vote me."It's not an unreasonable take.His numbers this season compare favorably — or exceed — the five-season run between 2008-09 and 2012-13 where he won the MVP award four times. His averages then: 27.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists on 52 percent shooting while playing 38... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James has someone in mind for the MVP award this season.Himself.This is a season where prohibitive MVP favorite James Harden has done phenomenal things with NBA-leading Houston, where reigning MVP Russell Westbrook has been fantastic again for Oklahoma City, and where Anthony Davis has found a new stratosphere to take his game, especially after New Orleans lost DeMarcus Cousins.James raves about them all. But ..."I would vote for me," James told The Associated Press. "The body of work, how I'm doing it, what's been happening with our team all year long, how we've got so many injuries and things of that nature, guys in and out, to be able to still keep this thing afloat, I definitely would vote me."It's not an unreasonable take.His numbers this season compare favorably — or exceed — the five-season run between 2008-09 and 2012-13 where he won the MVP award four times. His averages then: 27.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists on 52 percent shooting while playing 38... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James has someone in mind for the MVP award this season.Himself.This is a season where prohibitive MVP favorite James Harden has done phenomenal things with NBA-leading Houston, where reigning MVP Russell Westbrook has been fantastic again for Oklahoma City, and where Anthony Davis has found a new stratosphere to take his game, especially after New Orleans lost DeMarcus Cousins.James raves about them all. But ..."I would vote for me," James told The Associated Press. "The body of work, how I'm doing it, what's been happening with our team all year long, how we've got so many injuries and things of that nature, guys in and out, to be able to still keep this thing afloat, I definitely would vote me."It's not an unreasonable take.His numbers this season compare favorably — or exceed — the five-season run between 2008-09 and 2012-13 where he won the MVP award four times. His averages then: 27.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists on 52 percent shooting while playing 38... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James has someone in mind for the MVP award this season.Himself.This is a season where prohibitive MVP favorite James Harden has done phenomenal things with NBA-leading Houston, where reigning MVP Russell Westbrook has been fantastic again for Oklahoma City, and where Anthony Davis has found a new stratosphere to take his game, especially after New Orleans lost DeMarcus Cousins.James raves about them all. But ..."I would vote for me," James told The Associated Press. "The body of work, how I'm doing it, what's been happening with our team all year long, how we've got so many injuries and things of that nature, guys in and out, to be able to still keep this thing afloat, I definitely would vote me."It's not an unreasonable take.His numbers this season compare favorably — or exceed — the five-season run between 2008-09 and 2012-13 where he won the MVP award four times. His averages then: 27.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists on 52 percent shooting while playing 38... [More]