Cavs coach Ty Lue had an interesting motivational ploy when his team was down 3-1 in the NBA Finals this past June. According to Joe Vardon at Cleveland.com, after the Cavs won game 5 Lue asked for $100 from everyone in the locker room. Lue took the cash that totaled $4,500 and hid it in the ceiling of the coaches’ dressing room in the Oracle Arena visitor’s locker room.
Lue recounted the story earlier this week after the Cavs first practice, he said:
They were like, ‘Where is the money going?’ I’m like, ‘It’s going to me and I’m going to wrap it up and put it in the ceiling in the coaches locker room and we’re going to come back, get our money and get our trophy for Game 7.’
You know how the rest of the story went. The Cavs completed the improbable comeback and captured the city’s first championship in 52 years. Presumably everyone received their money, except James.
I’m still looking for my money. I didn’t get mine back.
James essentially prints money with tons coming from endorsements and his NBA paycheck. I think he’ll be okay missing the $100. I have to say, it’s an interesting motivational ploy used by Lue. It was part of a larger intricate series of motivational tactics used on the entire team, but goes to show you how much of sports is belief and desire.