Tyronn Lue doesn't want to hear about LeBron James' minutes.
Following the Cavs' 116-88 rout of the Pistons on Monday, the Cavaliers coach voiced his frustration in saying he didn't want to discuss the implications of the superstar playing a season-low 27 minutes.
"Yeah, I hear about that all the time," Lue told reporters (via Cleveland.com). "I played with Michael Jordan when he was 39, he played 37 minutes a night. Karl Malone was 37, played 38 minutes a night, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe. Everybody's built different. If you're one of the greats, sometimes you've got to play, sometimes you get rest like tonight."
James, who had 18 points and eight assists before being taken out late in the third quarter, entered Monday's matchup leading the NBA both in total minutes played and minutes per game. Still, the 33-year-old downplayed the drop in minutes and highlighted the importance of securing the victory.
"You make so much a big thing about my minutes," James said. "It's not a huge issue. But at the end of the day, when we can get a win like this, everybody benefits from it. Not just me. Everybody."
The Cavs (10-7) will look to extend their five-game winning streak when they host the Nets at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday.
