Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue is not only disliked in Israel all of a sudden, but also in Canada.

(cleveland.com)

TORONTO - Since becoming the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tyronn Lue not only inherited detractors from Israelis claiming he undermined David Blatt, but also finds himself on the bad side of Canadians.

When Lue was introduced to the fans at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto on Saturday in advance of the Eastern Conference All-Stars practice, Lue was booed. That resentment stems from Lue being allowed to coach the All-Stars after only, at the time, coaching in a handful of games after the firing of Blatt.

In this neck of the woods, many believe Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey should have been the coach, since their city is this year's host and since the Raptors are second in the Eastern Conference standings.

All of a sudden, Lue has been portrayed as a villain. He was asked if he's ever been described in that fashion.

"No, I've always been great," he said. "That's why it's a tough situation for me. Eighteen years in this league and having a clean image, being who I am on and off the court, it's been difficult for me to go through this. But it's something I have to go through now and we'll see what happens."

What happens in the short-term is the likelihood he's booed mercilessly for tonight's All-Star game, and it's unfortunate. This is an uncomfortable situation for Lue and he's done absolutely nothing to bring it upon himself.

Raptors officials told cleveland.com they were at peace with the decision to let Lue coach when the league informed them it was a team recognition, not a coaching one. The Cavaliers had the best record, so their coaching staff went to Toronto.

That answer may be good enough to pacify the Raptors, but the fans apparently aren't buying it.