CLEVELAND: LeBron James is crossing another item off his bucket list Saturday when the entire Cavaliers team travels to Columbus to watch the second-ranked Buckeyes face third-ranked Michigan.
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said Friday the whole team is attending the game, then will fly from Columbus to Philadelphia for Sunday’s afternoon game against the 76ers.
“Just thought it’d be nice for the guys,” said Lue, who has spent two weeks planning the trip alongside General Manager David Griffin and Mark Cashman, the team’s director of operations who handles all of the travel plans. “It’s always good to throw your guys a bone through this long season, all the things we have to do and being together. I just thought it’d be something good for us to do and to enjoy.”
The Cavs love to have fun. The appearance at Ohio Stadium comes a month after the players watched two World Series games as a team. A number of players also attended a Kanye West concert this year. And James went to the Browns-Cowboys game recently with teammate J.R. Smith.
Lue was able to spend time with Ohio State coach Urban Meyer during the Cavs’ preseason trip to Columbus, and Meyer invited the Cavs’ back to watch them play.
“Just supporting all the teams in Ohio,” Lue said, “being around the Ohio State campus and seeing everything and all the tradition — it was great. It’s great to go back and be there, be a part of 2 vs. 3, a big game for the state of Ohio. We want to be there to support and enjoy the game.”
James said earlier in the week he has never attended an Ohio State-Michigan game and called it another “bucket list” item. He has supplied Buckeyes players with versions of his Nike LeBron shoes to wear in the game if they choose.
Frye excused
Cavs center Channing Frye is dealing with the death of another parent. Less than a month after his mother died, Frye wrote on his Instagram account Thanksgiving Day that his father died, too. He was excused from the team and did not play Friday when the Cavs hosted the Dallas Mavericks.
“On a day for thanks. Be thankful for the person next to you,” Frye wrote. “Y’all better love on your family.”
Frye is averaging 11.3 points and shooting 49 percent from 3-point range this season as one of the team’s key reserves. He missed two games last month to mourn the death of his mother.
“It’s tough. Anytime you lose one parent, but then to lose two, it has to be tough and taking a toll on him,” Lue said. “But we’re going to be here as family and support him with anything he needs. [He can] take his time, and when he’s ready to come back he’s ready to come back.”
Dribbles
Friday was the 1,000th game of James’ career, making him the 11th active player to reach the milestone. Of the 1,000, 705 have been with the Cavs. … The Cavs began the night 38-9 in their past 47 games against the West. … The Mavericks have been wrecked with injuries this year, using 11 different lineups in their first 15 games. … Mavericks guard Deron Williams returned to the lineup Friday following a calf strain that has cost him eight games this season.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com.