Manziel cannot stay out of his own way as another video surfaces
December 29, 2015Browns ABC’s: Avoiding Bad Conclusions, Week 15
December 29, 2015In his fourth game since returning from a fractured kneecap suffered in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against Golden State, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving seemed to have “it” in the Cavs win over the Suns in Phoenix Monday night.
In his first three games since his return, the Duke product averaged 10 points, 3.3 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and one steal per game in just over 20 minutes, while shooting a dismal 29 percent from the field and 22 percent from three-point range. Obviously, those numbers are not what a star player like Irving is used to, but some rust was to be expected after not playing in an actual game for over six months.
But Monday night’s game in Phoenix was different. The 23-year-old scored a team-high 22 points while making 7-of-16 shots from the field, 2-of-7 threes, and sinking all six of his free throws. He also collected one rebound, dished out two assists, and nabbed one steal in 24 minutes, his second-longest appearance of the season (he played 26 minutes against the Warriors on Christmas).
His 22 points included a buzzer-beating three-pointer to put the Cavs ahead 99-95 with just over 20 seconds remaining, all but putting the nail in the coffin and securing Cleveland’s first victory in their third of five consecutive road games on their West Coast trip.
https://vine.co/v/iqnO6VVpDvP
While Irving sat out the second night of a back-to-back the day after Christmas, when the Cavaliers were dismantled by Portland, the point guard told cleveland.com’s Chris Haynes that Tuesday night would be the last back-to-back he will miss.
With Monday night’s game in Phoenix possibly being a coming out party for Irving this season, it was great to see the All-Star playing more like his old self. Whether it was hitting a clutch three, putting the ball on a string and getting to the basket, or breaking down his defender to set up an open teammate, Kyrie seems to be back.
His minutes will only increase from here on out, but the fact that he led the team in shots made and attempted, free throws made, and three-pointers attempted means that he wants one thing: to put the ball in the back of the net and help his team win games.
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To answer the headline: no. But he’s getting closer with every game. Tonight against Denver he’s reportedly not playing. The good news is, according to Fred McLeod, is that this will be the last game KI sits out. At least according to KI that is.