Steve Kerr details what he told Tyronn Lue during Lue’s leave of absence
In March, when Tyronn Lue took a leave of absence from coaching Cleveland to address his health, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reached out to offer support. With his team set to face Lue’s Cavaliers in the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year, Kerr detailed Wednesday what he told Lue during that period.
"I just called — we texted," Kerr said. "I called first and then texted. We had a good text exchange. I just tried to share some of my experience when I was out last year.
"The main message was, ‘You can't allow what feels like the enormity of the job to interfere with your health and your recovery and whatever you need to do.’ I just told him the team will still be there when you get back."
Lue, 41, announced in a team-issued statement March 19 that, "After many conversations with our doctors and (general manager) Koby (Altman) and much thought given to what is best for the team and my health, I need to step back from coaching for the time being and focus on trying to establish a stronger and healthier foundation from which to coach for the rest of the season."
The news came two days after Lue left Cleveland’s 114-109 win over Chicago with an illness, which was the third time this season that his health had prevented him from coaching a whole game. Lue was dealing with chest pains and sleep deprivation, but a battery of tests had yet to reveal the exact cause of his issues.
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Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Image 1 of 3 Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, left, talks to Steve Nash during an NBA basketball practice, Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday in Oakland. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) less Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, left, talks to Steve Nash during an NBA basketball practice, Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the ... more Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Image 2 of 3 Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue juggles a basketball with his feet during an NBA basketball practice, Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The Cavaliers face the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday in Oakland. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) less Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue juggles a basketball with his feet during an NBA basketball practice, Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The Cavaliers face the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 ... more Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Image 3 of 3 Steve Kerr details what he told Tyronn Lue during Lue’s leave of absence 1 / 3 Back to Gallery
After overhauling his health with a new personal chef, regular exercise, rest and medication, he returned to the sideline on April 5. The Cavaliers, who finished the regular season fourth in the Eastern Conference at 50-32, beat Indiana in seven games, Toronto in four and Boston in seven to reach yet another NBA Finals.
"I'm a big fan of Ty's," Kerr said. "I don't think he gets enough credit, frankly. But that's probably the burden of coaching LeBron. There's a lot of benefits, but there's a burden, too. And Ty has done a phenomenal job with that team. Made great adjustments throughout the playoffs when they've been in some holes.
"So, we have great respect for their coaching staff, and I'm really thrilled he's back and looking healthy."
Kerr knows firsthand how difficult it is to step away from the bench for health reasons. For almost three years, he has endured the aftermath from a back surgery that resulted in a spinal-fluid leak. Kerr missed half of the 2015-16 season and 11 games during the 2017 playoffs to seek an answer to his pain.
"It meant a lot," Lue said of Kerr’s support. "A lot of the coaches reached out. A lot of the NBA family reached out. Just hearing from Steve, and he's been through something similar, it was great to hear him and talk to him and pick his brain about different circumstances."
Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @Con_Chron