Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving not yet back to full fitness – NBA Update
The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a downturn in fortunes recently. The ball club has lost 7 straight games, putting them out of contention for a playoff spot. The playoffs looked a possibility not long ago, but the recent string of poor results means Cleveland’s
season will be coming to an end very soon.
It isn’t a surprise that the Cavs have struggled recently as they never had enough strength to mount a serious challenge for the playoffs. What has left them even more shorthanded is the injury to star guard Kyrie Irving.
Irving was left to rest by coach Byron Scott on Saturday as he continues to nurse a shoulder injury. At the moment, Irving has recovered some mobility in the arm, but the pain is yet to go away. It is for this reason that Scott doesn’t want to rush Irving
back.
The rookie is undoubtedly the future of the Cavaliers, and they are going to make sure they handle him with the utmost care.
"I don't think there's any need to put him in harm's way," Scott said. "If there still is an issue with it as far as pain or soreness, it doesn't benefit him to get out there and get that thing reinjured and miss the rest of the season or anything like that."
Irving did do some light shooting work in practice, and he was seen working on his ball handling skills. The player though didn’t talk to the media, even after being named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.
It was Irving’s third straight win and a testament to his consistency in this season. The young point guard was drafted 1st overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers this season and has been a shining light for them throughout the campaign.
He has come up against the best of the NBA and hasn’t been overawed. He almost instantly took up the mantle of being the face of the franchise, and has won a game for the Cavs with clutch displays on more than one occasion.
The 20 year old is currently averaging 18.9 points per game for the season, besides healthy averages for assists and rebounds. It is therefore no surprise that Irving is a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year award, and his teammate Antawn Jamison
has given full backing to the youngster.
"I know I'm biased, but just look at his body of work and the things that he's done," Jamison said. "Knowing that game after game opponents are trying to do everything possible to stop him. and to be getting 18 or 19 points per game, I don't see him not
being the rookie of the year."
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