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SPORTS Monday 29 october 2018

Cavaliers fire coach Tyronn Lue after 0-6 start

By TOM WITHERS eral manager Koby Altman past two games with a sore tract he signed after Cleve-
AP Sports Writer said in a statement. “This left foot, posted a message land won the title. He went
Tyronn Lue didn’t make is a different team equa- to Lue on Instagram . 128-83 in three-plus seasons
it through the season’s tion, though, and one that “You helped me see the big as coach.
first month without LeB- we felt needed a different picture,” Love wrote. “Life Drew filled in when Lue
ron James. The Cleveland voice and approach that changing experiences and stepped aside for 10 games
Cavaliers fired their coach required this change.” teaching points. Nothing last season while dealing
on Sunday and named as- Assistant coach Damon but love and admiration. with chest pains, insomnia
sistant Larry Drew interim Jones also was fired. A for- Know we will work towards and anxiety. He came to
head coach. The Cavaliers mer Cavaliers player, Jones something greater togeth- Cleveland as an assistant in
are off to a 0-6 start without had been promoted during er again. THANK YOU.” 2014 after serving as head
James, who left Cleveland the offseason. Love also posted a photo coach for the Milwaukee Cleveland Cavaliers head
this summer for the sec- Lue issued a statement in of him and Lue hugging on Bucks (2013-2014) and At- coach Tyronn Lue yells
ond time in his career and which he thanked team the court at Oracle Arena lanta Hawks (2010-2013). instructions to players in the
first half of an NBA basketball
signed with the Los Angeles owner Dan Gilbert, former after the Cavaliers rallied The Cavaliers were hop- game against the Indiana
Lakers as a free agent. general manager David from a 3-1 deficit and won ing to remain competitive Pacers, Saturday, Oct. 27,
Lue guided the Cavaliers Griffin and Altman. Game 7 of the 2016 Finals without James, but they’ve 2018, in Cleveland.
to an NBA title in 2016 — “My time here in Cleve- over Golden State. been overmatched. They Associated Press
Cleveland’s first pro sports land was truly special,” Lue James also expressed grati- dropped their sixth straight and communication issues,
championship since 1964 added. “I am very grateful tude toward his former game on Saturday night to and has looked disorga-
— and helped the team to for the dedication, sacri- coach on Twitter . Indiana and are off to their nized at times.
four straight Finals. fice and support of all the “T Lue thanks for the mem- worst start since losing their The Cavaliers host Atlan-
“We thank him for the many players on our team, the ories and more importantly first seven games in the ta on Tuesday night. Led
ways he has contributed to tremendous coaches I’ve our partnership bringing 1995-96 season. by rookie Trae Young’s 35
our success, wish him the worked with and of course, a (championship) to that Cleveland has trailed by points, the Hawks clob-
best and he will always be our incredible fans.” deserved city/fan base,” at least 16 points in all six bered the Cavs by 22
remembered for leading Players appeared to be James said. “U know how losses and the club has yet points in Cleveland’s home
a very special Cavs team caught off-guard by Lue’s to find me.” The 41-year-old to lead in the second half. opener last week.
back against the odds to dismissal. All-Star Kevin Lue has three years left on The Cavs have also been The Athletic first reported
win the title in 2016,” gen- Love, who has missed the a five-year, $35 million con- plagued by poor defense Lue’s firing.q

Federer wins 99th title, beats Copil in Swiss Indoors final

Associated Press fans’ ovation brought tears
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — welling in his eyes.
Roger Federer won his 99th The top-seeded Swiss rallied
career ATP Tour title on Sun- from trailing by a service
day, beating qualifier Mar- break in each set against
ius Copil 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the the 93rd-ranked Romanian,
Swiss Indoors final. whose serve was measured
A ninth title at Federer’s at 243 kph (151 mph) in his
hometown event in Basel, opening service game.
where he was once a ball Federer clinched minutes
boy, matched the nine after saving a break point,
he won at the Halle grass- taking his first match-point
court event in Germany. chance when Copil sent a
He closed the gap on the backhand into the net.
all-time singles titles list to The title was the 37-year-
Jimmy Connors, who leads old Federer’s first in more
with 109. than four months since win-
Federer blew kisses to a ning on grass at Stuttgart in
12,000 crowd in the reno- June.
vated St. Jakobhalle, which Federer’s 151st singles final
now gives Basel’s local hero on the ATP tour shaped
a bigger main stage. as one of his biggest mis-
“It’s been a magical week. Switzerland’s Roger Federer reacts during his final match against Romania’s Marius Copil at the matches by ranking. He
It was dream run for me,” Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday, Oct. 28, has never lost a final to an
Federer said in his accep- 2018 opponent ranked below
tance speech, before his Associated Press No. 87.q