The Cleveland Cavaliers are planning to treat Kyrie Irving's return from a fractured kneecap very cautiously.
While Irving is recovering smoothly, the chances of him playing on opening night are said to be slim, according to a report from Chris Haynes of Northeast Ohio Media Group. Not only is the team's first game in jeopardy, but Haynes reports that Irving could be unavailable until January.
Irving fractured his left knee cap during Game 1 of the NBA Finalsand underwent surgery in June. The original timeline set out for Irving had him returning in three-to-four months.
Earlier reports out of Clevelandsuggest that the Cavs are aiming to trim down on regular season minutes for Irving and LeBron James, speaking further to their focus on health for the postseason. Irving ranked 10th in the NBA in total minutes last season despite missing seven games, and he battled knee soreness during the playoffs before the injury.
The Cavaliers signed veteran guard Mo Williams to a two-year contract this offseason, and restricted free agent Matthew Dellavedova signed his one-year qualifying offer. With James more than capable of running the offense for stretches, Williams in the fold, and the Cavs standing as enormous favorites to win the East, they have the ability to take a patient approach with Irving.
The 23-year-old former No. 1 pick is entering the first year of a five-year, $113-million contract extension he signed last summer. Irving made his third All-Star appearance in 2014-15, averaging 21.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 41.5 percent from long range.
While they only got to enjoy their trio for 89 postseason minutes, the Cavs outscored opponents by a ridiculous 13.6 points per-100 possessions when they had Irving, James, and Kevin Love on the floor together during the regular season. Cleveland standing as the favorites for the 2016 NBA championship is predicated on their peak postseason potential, and resting Irving for part of the regular season doesn't damage their upside.
Report: Kyrie Irving unlikely to make opening night, could sit until January Report: Kyrie Irving unlikely to make opening night, could sit until January
While Irving is recovering smoothly, the chances of him playing on opening night are said to be slim, according to a report from Chris Haynes of Northeast Ohio Media Group. Not only is the team's first game in jeopardy, but Haynes reports that Irving could be unavailable until January.
Irving fractured his left knee cap during Game 1 of the NBA Finalsand underwent surgery in June. The original timeline set out for Irving had him returning in three-to-four months.
Earlier reports out of Clevelandsuggest that the Cavs are aiming to trim down on regular season minutes for Irving and LeBron James, speaking further to their focus on health for the postseason. Irving ranked 10th in the NBA in total minutes last season despite missing seven games, and he battled knee soreness during the playoffs before the injury.
The Cavaliers signed veteran guard Mo Williams to a two-year contract this offseason, and restricted free agent Matthew Dellavedova signed his one-year qualifying offer. With James more than capable of running the offense for stretches, Williams in the fold, and the Cavs standing as enormous favorites to win the East, they have the ability to take a patient approach with Irving.
The 23-year-old former No. 1 pick is entering the first year of a five-year, $113-million contract extension he signed last summer. Irving made his third All-Star appearance in 2014-15, averaging 21.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 41.5 percent from long range.
While they only got to enjoy their trio for 89 postseason minutes, the Cavs outscored opponents by a ridiculous 13.6 points per-100 possessions when they had Irving, James, and Kevin Love on the floor together during the regular season. Cleveland standing as the favorites for the 2016 NBA championship is predicated on their peak postseason potential, and resting Irving for part of the regular season doesn't damage their upside.
Report: Kyrie Irving unlikely to make opening night, could sit until January Report: Kyrie Irving unlikely to make opening night, could sit until January
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Its really no need for him to play until then. No way Lebron lets the Cavs start off 19-20 this season. Let him fully heal...
