CLEVELAND, Ohio – – With the reported extended rehab by Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, many have been focused on how this news can potentially hurt the Cavaliers and the quest for a title.
In this article we will examine how Irving’s extended rehab can actually help the Cavaliers this season in comparison to last years progress by the team and how they gelled so well after the flurry of activity last January.
If you remember, last season the Cavaliers had a difficult time gelling as a squad and an extended time off by LeBron James – along with a few key acquisitions helped the team propel itself to the NBA Finals.
This upcoming season, we will be without three-time All-Star Kyrie Irving at the point potentially until January 2016.
While it would be great to have the dynamic point guard – such as Irving – around and healthy for the entire season, we know both him and James need to have their minutes reduced to allow for the longevity required to seize an NBA title.
What does Irving’s absence spell for the Cavaliers?
The first few months of the season will be difficult – no doubt a bit disheveled even – but the rewards will be well worth the growing pains that are expected from both free agent acquisition Mo Williams as well as rookie Quinn Cook out of Duke University, if he makes the team.
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As a seasoned veteran, Mo Williams should find assimilating into the Cavaliers line-up as a simple task. The 12-year veteran has played with a younger LeBron James so he has a good idea what to expect as a point guard that can also play off the ball.
The two month absence of Irving will give Williams some quality minutes to get to understand and gel with the Cavaliers starters and bench players. Williams has career numbers of 13.4 points, 5 assists and a free throw percentage of 87%.
This will be the time for the Cavaliers to grow as a reassembled squad. The two month span might also allow for rookie Cook to play at the point off the bench, along with 3rd year player Matthew Dellavedova.
Cook was brought in to be a camp player – one who would have spent most of the year possibly playing for the Cavaliers D league team the Canton Charge – but could become more in his first season as an NBA player.
I expect the extended rehab of Kyrie Irving’s knee to be positive long-term for both Irving and the new acquisitions at the point. Williams and Cook will see more minutes than they would have if Irving entered camp healthy.
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The time Williams gets to learn the Cavaliers system and be able to run the team will be a bonus for the long run. If Irving has a set-back or another injury, you will have a quality point guard waiting who knows his teammates and is able to know where everyone like to get the ball.
While some have been talking about the Cavaliers possibly trading for a veteran point guard, I don’t see this as a necessity. I feel we have four other options for players being able to bring the ball down the court and at least three who can create for themselves and their team-mates in James, Williams, Dellavedova and Cook.
LeBron like to play on the ball and create for others. It’s his strong suit. Irving fit in seamlessly with LeBron last season. The question is will Williams and Cook fit as seamless as Irving did for the Cavaliers offense?
Do you think Mo Williams will be a good starting point guard till Kyrie Irving is able to return to the floor?