For a head coach who emphasizes cherishing and valuing the veterans on the LA Clippers, it was an unusual sight to see Tyronn Lue look away from Nicolas Batum in Game 7 versus the Denver Nuggets. There was no rationale for disregarding the player who had the Nuggets' hearts racing with his three-point shooting and rim protection.
Furthermore, amid the regular season, Batum did not receive as many opportunities as he should have. He was struggling at points early on, but when has this ever stopped Lue from giving minutes to a veteran he loves?