Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers are 7-1, they’re far from where they want to be in defending their Eastern Conference title. J.R. Smith has just returned from an injury and hasn’t played well in a game yet, Iman Shumpert is out indefinitely with a wrist injury, and their presumed second option behind LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, hasn’t seen the court yet as he rehabs from a broken kneecap.
On Thursday, Brian Windhorst reported that Irving is just a couple of weeks away, having participated in certain practices and scrimmages. It’s exciting news for Cavs fans, but head coach David Blatt just poured cold water on all of it when speaking to Cleveland.com’s Chris Haynes.
“[We’re] not rushing things and not letting up from the day-to-day work, but still a ways to go. And how much, I can’t honestly tell you, but he’s working at it every day.”
Haynes also wrote that Irving has actually not participated in a practice yet, but has done “some on-court work.” That could be construed to contradict Windhorst’s reporting of Irving’s activity, but it’s not a direct denial of anything. Technically, Irving could be back in a couple of weeks still, but the tone of Blatt’s comments make it seem like Irving still has a ways to go. The Cavaliers seem to be managing just fine without him, as they’re currently first place in the East.
(Via Cleveland.com)