The Cavaliers have been outscored by six points in the 126 minutes LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving have shared the court this season.
But not all hope is lost for Cleveland’s big three.
With the right complements, the trio has performed well enough. When those three play with Matthew Dellavedova, for example, the Cavaliers are +4.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Cleveland’s season if there weren’t bad news.
Chris Haynes of The Plain Dealer:Doctors in Salt Lake City have diagnosed Cavaliers backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova with a Grade II MCL sprain in his left knee, league sources told Northeast Ohio Media Group.
We have been informed that he could miss up to six weeks. The Cavaliers will get Dellavedova checked out in Cleveland before they release any information.
If Dellavedova is out six weeks, he’d miss 17 games. That’s a significant length for someone who could play a major role.
I thought Dellavedova – not Shawn Marion, who took the job – was Cleveland’s best option to replace Dion Waiters in the starting lineup. Dellavedova can hit open shots, and his craftiness with the ball could grease a stagnant offense. His defense is nothing special, but he wouldn’t be a total liability on that end.
A key question would be who would replace Dellavedova as Irving’s primary backup at point guard – or whether Dellavedova could handle those minutes too. Recently signed Will Cherry could see more action, though he didn’t play against the Jazz last night with Dellavedova out.
Irving played 45 minutes in the loss, an unsustainable number if Dellavedova is out this long.
Either David Blatt will have to show trust in Cherry, give Waiters minutes at the one or find some other option. With Dellavedova sidelined, the Cavaliers’ challenge is even stiffer.
