Ty Lue needs to take it slowly, and that won't be easy with the season winding down -- Bud Shaw's Spinoffs

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Golden State Warriors missed Steve Kerr on the bench when he took leave to deal with health problems.

They just didn't miss him in a measurable way in the regular-season standings when Luke Walton subbed for him, or in the postseason a year ago when former Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown filled in.

The Cavaliers are the East's answer to the Warriors as far as consecutive NBA Finals appearances go (three) and in overall dominance (until the Raptors or Celtics prove otherwise.)

But that's as far as the comparison goes. The Warriors were a veteran team comprised of All-Stars. They had more dynamic options offensively and a stronger commitment to defense.

These Cavs aren't quite an answer to the old Cavs, let alone the Warriors.

They have some newbies who've never been to the playoffs. They're counting on injured players who have never been to the playoffs and some who have. They have underachieving veterans.

No wonder Tyronn Lue hopes his leave to deal with health issues only lasts a week.

But the Cavs and Lue must still keep the bigger picture in mind.

The NBA coaching grind that contributed to Lue needing time off is the reason why he should take it slowly.

It's far from over. If the Cavs get where they hope to go again this season, they'll be playing for three more months.

Lue needs to keep that in perspective. And if he can't, ownership needs to do it for him.

The Cavs have several pieces moving in and out of the sideline huddle. Only a dozen games remain.

They don't need Lue to return early and risk another setback halfway through the postseason.

* Showing he has a sense of humor, if not a joke writer, Joe Thomas referenced several head-scratching moments of Browns football over the years in his retirement press conference:

Ray Farmer texting the sidelines. Brandon Weeden getting caught under the American flag before his first start. Sashi Brown not getting the paper work in on the AJ McCarron trade with the Bengals.

Eric Mangini putting Browns rookies on the bus to Connecticut to help at his football camp. Johnny Manziel and his money phone. Kyle Shanahan's 32-point slide presentation.

The first few comments under the Pro Football Talk story on Thomas standup press conference?

"I hope his delivery was good."

"Don't forget to tip your waitress."

OK, look. Give him a break.

Lost on his critics is a simple (to us) understanding. For his retirement speech to really reflect what he endured as a Browns player for 11 years he would've had to deliver it prone from a leather couch, or from the fetal position in the corner of the Browns locker room.

* How many consecutive snaps did Joe Thomas play?

Exactly. It doesn't instantly come to mind.

Even if the NFL frowns on teams retiring numbers in Rings of Honor, the Browns should put his #73 up there before his consecutive snaps number.

Or, keep it more simple, and put "Joe Thomas" up there.

* The number is 10,363. It is an amazing accomplishment for sure but also could be mistaken for the number of teammates, coaches and reasons he had to want out since 2007.

* Tyrod Taylor's first media availability went well, with Taylor saying he hoped to become a bridge to the Super Bowl, not simply to the next franchise quarterback.

Super Bowl? OK.

But at this point Browns fans would settle for players just winning some games instead of only winning the press conference.
 
* In naming Taylor the starting quarterback Hue Jackson says "there is no competition."

There never is in March. Or this past season in July or August either.

* Do the Browns plans suggest they might take a quarterback who clearly needs some grooming (Josh Allen, Sam Darnold) as opposed to a more NFL-ready prospect (Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen.)

I don't think so. There are only degrees of unready quarterbacks in most drafts, unless they're joining a contender.

Spoiler alert: 0-16 says that is not likely the case here.

* A new pro football league plans to beat Vince McMahon's XFL from the drawing board to the field.

The Alliance of American Football plans a February 2019 debut and promises a 10-week season and 50-man teams.

ESPN reports the new league will not have kickoffs. Every TD must be followed by a two-point conversion try.

 League founder Charlie Ebersol says the AAF has a seven-to-10 year rollout plan and will offer employment to players who didn't make NFL rosters.

Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian is involved with the AAF, as is former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

Guaranteeing that the league will have name recognition, at least until the games start.

* So that's two new leagues announced in the past few months.

If the brutality of football turns off any more fans, look for a third startup to be announced in the coming weeks.

* A rules official didn't agree with Patrick Reed's request for a free drop behind the 11th green at Bay Hill Sunday. Reed thought he should get a drop because of TV cables.  He double bogeyed the hole.

During the discussion, a fan's video of the conversation picked up Reed telling the official, "I guess my name needs to be Jordan Spieth."

It was a reference to Spieth getting a drop after a wayward tee shot during his final round win at last year's British Open.

Spieth will probably laugh it off. They're friends and former Ryder Cup partners.

As for how the ruling went over with Reed, about as well Al Czervik's "Let's go, while we're young" went over with Judge Smails.

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