By sweeping the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals last week, the Cleveland Cavaliers earned themselves 10 days of rest and relaxation before the NBA finals start Thursday on ABC. That extended period of convalescence is precisely what they needed in hopes of getting injured point guard Kyrie Irving back to full strength in time for their showdown with the Golden State Warriors.
The good news for Cavs fans is that Irving participated in practice today, but that was quickly qualified by head coach David Blatt, who said he still isn’t quite 100 percent yet.
Kyrie Irving took part in some of today's practice. David Blatt says he's still not himself yet.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 31, 2015
Irving has been suffering from knee tendinitis, which severely limited his playing time and production in the previous round. In spite of that, the Cavs were still able to dominate a Hawks team that floundered its way through the postseason behind huge contributions from role players like J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Tristan Thompson.
But the Cavs are already minus one of their core big three in Kevin Love, so LeBron James and company will desperately need a healthy Irving if they’re going to challenge the red-hot Warriors for the NBA title.
Also, we think we speak for everyone when we say that we’re anxiously anticipating a matchup between two of the NBA’s most electrifying point guards, both of whom are absolute wizards with the basketball, and if at full strength, promise to put on a tantalizing display of showmanship.
(Via Twitter)
