The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to improve on the season as they sit 7-1 on the year. So far they are getting plenty of production out of their roster depth which might have to continue as several players sit out with injury. The biggest name not on the court right now is Kyrie Irving who continues to heal from a knee injury. While Mo Williams is making it work for now, can that continue as Irving is nowhere near coming back?
According to head coach David Blatt via the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Irving is not expected to return any time soon. The point guard is healing from a fractured knee cap suffered in the NBA Finals and Blatt told the media that Cavaliers are not looking to rush his return, knowing just how important he will be in the second half of the season. The timetable was originally 3-4 months for a return, but it has now been five months and could be longer.
"[We're] not rushing things and not letting up from the day-to-day work, but still a ways to go," Blatt said, via the Plain Dealer. "And how much, I can't honestly tell you, but he's working at it every day. We're just taking small steps. Small and sure."
Irving told the media that he is not happy watching from the sidelines. Right now, Mo Williams and Matthew Dellavedova have been filling the point guard depth while JR Smith helps as well. That has been working so far, but Irving is of course the better upgrade and the Cavaliers want him back quickly. According to Irving, he has a date for when he will come back to the court, but he is not sharing it just in case something happens.
"The hardest thing is not being there for your teammates, and them playing. It's tough watching from the sidelines," Irving said, via SLAM Magazine. But you just learn a lot of patience, and your competitive drive never goes away. If anything it's strengthened. The only thing is, you don't want to rush back or do anything that'll put you in a worse place. For me it's just about being patient, doing everything I can to be back on the court."
With Kevin Love thriving right now and Smith shooting well, the Cavaliers are doing just fine without Irving. They know after the All-Star break is when things get important and having the point guard back then is the key. They can live if he sits out another month to get fully healthy.