Tyronn Lue, NBA champion as both a player and coach, and now head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, joins Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay for an in-depth conversation tracing his path from a small-town kid in Mexico, Missouri, to leading some of the game’s biggest names.
Lue reflects on his early years, his rise to the league, and memories of the iconic 1998 NBA Draft class that featured Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, and Vince Carter. He recalls nearly landing with the Orlando Magic, getting the call from Denver, and being traded to the Lakers, where he shared a locker room with Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, and Dennis Rodman. From Shaq’s pranks and wild shopping sprees to learning the meaning of greatness through Kobe, Lue revisits championship runs, behind-the-scenes stories, and the lasting influence of Allen Iverson on his love for basketball.
Shifting to his coaching career, Lue offers a candid view on today’s NBA. He details what the Clippers need to finally break through to the Finals, how much health matters for success, and his expectations for Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul. He also touches on Kawhi’s questions about Kobe and Michael Jordan, his push to build a defensive identity, and why he hopes some Lakers fans will cross over to support the Clippers.
In Part 2, the focus turns to LeBron James. Lue opens up about their relationship in Cleveland, the trust he built with the Cavaliers, and the pivotal moment he challenged LeBron in the Finals, a decision that sparked tension but ultimately made their partnership stronger. He revisits the LeBron-Kyrie Irving era, the short-lived Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade experiment, a near trade for Paul George, and whether LeBron could ever make a return to Cleveland.
Lue also weighs in on today’s NBA stars. From Ben Simmons’ struggles to Steph Curry’s impact, Jayson Tatum (his cousin), Anthony Edwards, and Kyrie Irving, he compares the modern game to his playing days. He highlights Kevin Garnett’s unmatched trash talk, Rajon Rondo’s fiery edge, and the lessons he’s taken from working under Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
Off the court, Lue speaks openly about his health battles, his habit of running on just three hours of sleep, and his pick for an all-time starting five built from former teammates. Spanning Kobe and Shaq’s dynasty to LeBron’s championship run in Cleveland, Tyronn Lue delivers personal stories, sharp basketball insight, and a clear picture of what it takes to win at the highest level.
