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*Photo via Getty Images
The last time we saw Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star point guard, Kyrie Irving was overtime in Game One of the NBA Finals. He attempted a crossover on Klay Thompson, and immediately we knew something was wrong. It was clear from his reaction and ginger movement to the Cavs locker room this was a serious injury. The result; a fractured left kneecap that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the NBA Finals, which the Cavs eventually lost in six games.
He had surgery two days after Game One, and his recovery time was about four months which leaves him on schedule to come back in early October for training camp. Yesterday, Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group reported Kyrie could be held out until January. The Cavs have reason to be cautious with Irving, he has never played more than 75 games in his career, didn’t play over 60 in his first two seasons and missed majority of his freshman year at Duke.
I don’t believe the Cavs will keep Irving out until January, but don’t expect him to be ready for the first part of the season, even if he is healthy enough to play. The combination of Irving’s injury history, and the fact that the Eastern Conference is so weak, gives the Cavs the luxury to take it slow with Irving.
*Via TNT
Cleveland took the 67 win Golden State Warriors to six games without Kevin Love and Irving. Even after a rough start to the 2014-15 regular season, the Cavs dominated the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Knowing this, they can afford to give up ground in the regular season to assure full health in the postseason. Hopefully the cautious dealings with Irving’s injury will lead to a healthy Uncle Drew contributing throughout Cleveland’s postseason run.