This year’s NBA playoffs have been a war of attrition. Marquee players, particularly in the East, have been dropping like flies. This morning an MRI revealed Kyrie Irving has knee tendinitis in addition to the foot injury that’s been nagging him. A combination of injuries like these would cause most players to sit out, but Kyrie is determined to play.
Kyrie Irving: "I should've been sitting out 4 games ago. But I can't do it…even if I'm at 30 or 40%"
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) May 11, 2015
With Kevin Love already out 4-to-6 months, the Cavs are running out of bullets in their offensive chamber. The burden to score will once again fall on the shoulders of LeBron James, much like his first stint in Cleveland. LeBron has struggled with his jumper for the entire series, but maybe his recent buzzer-beater will push him over that mental hump.
Kyrie’s injury also places a higher burden on the veteran brigade of James Jones, Mike Miller and Shawn Marion. Those three will be counted on to make a meaningful contribution, despite lounging in the twilight of their careers. Most importantly, less Kyrie means more JR Smith. For better or worse, more JR Smith means more entertainment for all of us.
