Shump to return Monday as IT edges closer to Cavs debut

The Cleveland Cavaliers should have Iman Shumpert and Isaiah Thomas on the court sooner rather than later.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert has Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers circled on his calendar as his anticipated return date. Shumpert has been out since Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, as he dealt with soreness in his left knee. When Shumpert returns, he’ll probably return to the starting lineup.

However, point guard Jose Calderon has done well to make fans forget about his horrendous regular season debut against the Orlando Magic.

In Calderon’s last two games (and starts), he’s averaged 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.2 minutes per game while shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 60.0 percent from three-point range. He’s pushed the pace, got his teammates involved and not just made his open shots but, at times, been aggressive in finding his own. As a result of his play, Calderon was recorded a plus/minus +7.5; since he’s been in the starting lineup, the Cavs haven’t been slow coming out of the gates.

Defensively, though, Calderon just isn’t a player who can be trusted on an island in the perimeter. That’s why no matter how well he played on the offensive end, it’s hard to see him remaining as the starting point guard when Shumpert returns.

In Shumpert’s last five games (all starts), he’s averaged 4.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks in 27.1 minutes per game. However, despite the workman’s nature to his game and what’s been, in general, solid playmaking as the starting point guard, Shumpert’s been inefficient. In his five starts, Shumpert has shot just 29.2 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from three-point range.

Luckily, Shumpert’s size, quickness and tenacity on the defensive end will be useful for going against the likes of Kemba Walker, Ben Simmons, Goran Dragic and Dennis Schroder, the point guards the Cleveland Cavaliers will face as they close out the month. Derrick Rose, the team’s incumbent starting point guard, could be back on December 2nd against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Isaiah Thomas, the team’s actual starting point guard, has January 1st as the scheduled date for his return but it’s looking more and more like he’ll return much sooner than that. Thomas has been participating in full-court drills and shooting around pregame as of late.

Just Wednesday, Thomas went through full-contact drills.

Thomas told USA Today that he’s doing everything a basketball player does now, which probably means he’s much closer to his return than anyone thinks.

"“And now, every day, every week, I’m getting better and better. I’m doing more and more. I’m feeling more like a basketball player again, because I’m doing everything a basketball player does now.” – Isaiah Thomas"

Quote from Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue transcribed by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:

"“We’re excited about (how Thomas has made strides) and he continues to keep progressing every day,” Lue said. “So we’re happy for that and we’ll see what happens.”"

When Thomas returns, he’ll obviously be a tremendous addition for the Cavs’ offense although his first few games shouldn’t come with any concrete expectations.

Thomas’ ability to get to the drive, shoot off-the-dribble, operate as a shooter off-ball and facilitate will make the Cleveland Cavaliers’ third-ranked offense (in both points per game and offensive rating) that much more dangerous. With a player on the perimeter outside of James that can be a true threat to make a play every time he touches the ball, opposing team’s can only afford to send so many defenders at James or Kevin Love. With three-and-D players like J.R. Smith and Jae Crowder between the Big 3 to space the floor, the Cavs’ offense may be better than it’s ever been.

Defensively, while Thomas’ lack of size results in questions about his efficacy on that end, he’s at least an assertive defender. In addition, the Cavs have shown a willingness to blitz pick-and-rolls in order to cover for poor individual defense so in the case that Thomas struggles and there’s not a non-scorer on the court to hide him on, the Cleveland Cavaliers do have options on the defensive end.

Related Story: Can Crowder and Calderon sustain success?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to play a game with a fully-healthy roster but their chance will come soon.