He was a former journeyman point guard who made his way into the NBA after being selected 23rd overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1998 NBA Draft—a solid pick that marked the beginning of a career full of resilience and determination. Throughout his playing days, he became best known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played a valuable role and ultimately earned three NBA championships, a remarkable achievement that cemented his legacy in league history.
Later on, his deep understanding of the game led him into coaching, and he was named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers midway through the 2015-2016 season. Under his leadership, the team went on to capture the 2016 NBA Championship, completing one of the most unforgettable comebacks in sports history. It was a defining moment not just for the franchise, but for him personally as well—proving that his basketball IQ extended far beyond the court.
Before all the fame and spotlight, he had already shown great promise during his college years at the University of Nebraska. As a Cornhusker, he delivered an outstanding performance, earning First-team All-Big 12 honors in 1998—a testament to his skill and work ethic early on. Born in Mexico, Missouri, he was raised by his parents, Ron Lue and Kim Miller, and attended high school in Raytown, MO, where his passion for basketball first began to take shape. From those humble beginnings, he steadily climbed the ranks, eventually making a lasting impact on the game both as a player and a coach.
He bounced around quite a bit as an NBA journeyman, suiting up for teams like the Lakers, Wizards, Magic, Rockets, Hawks, Mavericks, and Bucks over the years. After his playing days, he transitioned into coaching—serving in assistant roles with the Celtics and Clippers before eventually making his way to Cleveland, where he took on a bigger role. He really built up a diverse resume across the league, and along the way, he gained the kind of experience that only comes from being in so many different locker rooms. His path wasn’t straightforward, but it was definitely shaped by persistence and adaptability.