Kyrie Irving

[Binkster]

I'm hoping, praying, and guessing it was a strain.

I think anything else likely would have caused writhing pain and his mobility in that arm would have been shot.

People forget that MRIs are handed out like candy in the NBA.

LeBron hurt his wrist and even though it was "sore" they still whisked him away to an MRI. It's protocol in most cases. The fact that he had previously injured that shoulder is an obvious worry/connection to be made, but nothing other than initial self-induced panic has led us to believe he's re-aggravated an injury from over 2 years ago.

I'm betting he sits a few out.

 

[kookoo]

Rough stretch of games for him to be out for, if he is out.

 

[Kouki]

Glass half full approach - perfect timing to get Kevin into the swing of things as the #2 option.

 

[mcfly]

He has PG background...who would you have spell Lebron? Because it's down to him or Delly...and I think we can all agree 20 mins of Delly isn't going to cut it...

I think Shump will get more comfortable handling the ball.

I really liked the one play where Shumpert took his man off the dribble and dished it to TT in a crowd. Nothing spectacular, but it will be nice if he can build his confidence back up there. Leave Smith on the perimeter, and let Shumpert act as another creator for the second unit.

 

[Anglefan]

I think you're all overreacting. Doubt he misses more than tonight's game.

 

[All4One1ForAll]

Not really one of Dellys strengths either. Seems very erratic when he has to handle the ball too much.

I still feel Delly has better handles than Shump. He hardly turns it over and I've already seen Shumpert dribble it off his feet at least 3 times since we got him.

 

[Crosby_Cavs]

Hope he is ok! He must be OK!

 

[castor777]

Another way to look at the injury is playoff positioning. As I said this morning, I think we're a lock for either the 2nd or 3rd seed. If Kyrie is fine and only misses a game, it should be pretty easy to assume we'll take the 2nd seed (since Toronto hasn't played very well lately) and that'd mean we'd either face Indiana or Miami in the 1st round. If Kyrie's injury is a bit more serious and he's gone for a few weeks (or the Cavs just want to be cautious), we end up with the 3rd seed and likely play Milwaukee or (would surprise the hell out of me) Washington in the 1st.

I'm not concerned either way, though I'd rather not deal with a rejuvenated Pacer squad with Paul George back. So if Kyrie needs a bit of rest, I wouldn't sweat it in regards to looking forward.

 

[willthelawyer]

Not really one of Dellys strengths either. Seems very erratic when he has to handle the ball too much.

I know that Kyrie's PG game is predicated on ball-handling skills, but they aren't that necessary for this team's point guard; or at least we could get away without superlative ball-handling for stretches.

As most of our plays are run through Lebron, basically, our PG just needs to get the ball up the court and get everyone set before dishing the ball to Lebron to start the play. So, Delly can get the ball up the Court make sure that everyone is in position for whatever set we're running and then get to the corner to serve as a floor-spreader which he can do well enough.

Sure, when Lebron is out we won't be as effective in the pick and roll or pick and pop game, but for those spurts you can go to running JR smith off of screens, dump the ball to Moz down low, run JR Smith and Klove in p&R/P&P, or just give it to Love with space for a face-up isolation.

Obviously, Kyrie is awesome and we need him for real success in the playoffs, but my point is that with Lebron James serving as our primary distributor and playmaker anyway, we are somewhat insulated from the full harm of not having a very dynamic point guard other than KI.

 

[Danny DiVito]

I'm surprised we haven't heard anything about the MRI results yet. I would think he's already had it.

 

[Ohio]

No news is good news.
















































Hopefully.

 

[Frank Stallone]

I don't wanna see him play regardless tonight. I want a Spurs game where no one plays. Rest day.

 

[CavsHomer]

So maaaaaaaaybe he'll follow his team to Indiana?
Or am I too optimistic right here?

I know it's important to not rush him back if he's still uncomfortable with his shoulder, but we have such great momentum right now...

 

[gourimoko]

I know that Kyrie's PG game is predicated on ball-handling skills, but they aren't that necessary for this team's point guard; or at least we could get away without superlative ball-handling for stretches.

As most of our plays are run through Lebron, basically, our PG just needs to get the ball up the court and get everyone set before dishing the ball to Lebron to start the play. So, Delly can get the ball up the Court make sure that everyone is in position for whatever set we're running and then get to the corner to serve as a floor-spreader which he can do well enough.

Sure, when Lebron is out we won't be as effective in the pick and roll or pick and pop game, but for those spurts you can go to running JR smith off of screens, dump the ball to Moz down low, run JR Smith and Klove in p&R/P&P, or just give it to Love with space for a face-up isolation.

Obviously, Kyrie is awesome and we need him for real success in the playoffs, but my point is that with Lebron James serving as our primary distributor and playmaker anyway, we are somewhat insulated from the full harm of not having a very dynamic point guard other than KI.

Just on a sidenote, I don't think this is the most optimal setup as it is. For a 22 year old scoring point-guard, Kyrie can actually rack up some pretty good assist numbers. With that, he is anything but turnover prone.

If it were up to me, I'd want to develop Kyrie's passing and facilitating talents to go along with his best-in-the-league isolation and ball-handling skills.

He has the raw talent to be the best point guard in the NBA; he just has to further develop those few skills. A better passing Kyrie who knows the how, when and where of setting up his teammates (as LeBron does) is Top 2 in the league at his position.

 

[Jscc]

I'm surprised we haven't heard anything about the MRI results yet. I would think he's already had it.

According to NBA.com, he did...

Cavaliers Guard Kyrie Irving experienced a left shoulder injury during Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. He will not travel with the team to Indianapolis and will receive additional examination, including an MRI, at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health Friday morning. He is listed as Doubtful for the Cavaliers game against the Pacers Friday night and his status will be updated as appropriate.