The Cleveland Cavaliers may sit at first place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 14-7, but they still haven’t quite hit their collective stride as the title contender they were supposed to be this season (and they have more threats to their position than anyone thought). A big part of that has been due to injury, namely to their two starting guards for much of last season, Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert. But now, with the pair both set to travel with Cleveland on their upcoming road trip, there finally appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Mind you, it’s no sure thing they play on Friday night when they visit the Orlando Magic, or even on the following Tuesday in Boston. But they’ve both participated fully in the Cavs’ last three practices, which means they’re very close. Speaking to Cleveland.com, head coach David Blatt said, “It’s a day-to-day thing with both of them. We kind of like to let them get through the practice then the next morning [and] gauge how they’re feeling. And then just go from there.”
The Cavs have LeBron James and a resurgent Kevin Love, so they’ve been just fine without the third component of their big three. But if Kyrie and Shump come back ready to go, they’ll be even healthier than they were at any point last season. The million-dollar question remains, however — with both Irving and Love at full strength, are there enough shots to make both of them comfortable? If the answer is yes, and if Shumpert comes back with his usual perimeter defense, then we may see the Cavs really take off.
(Via Cleveland.com)
