CLEVELAND: Kyrie Irving has begun the reinstatement process from a concussion he suffered last week, and there is a possibility he could play Wednesday when the Cavaliers host the Indiana Pacers.
Cavs coach Byron Scott said Irving rode a stationary bike Saturday, which is the first step in a complex program the NBA implemented prior to this season. The next step will be for Irving to jog, do some agility work and complete noncontact drills. The final step is a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, a neurologist at the University of Michigan and the director of the NBA’s new concussion program.
Head injuries are tricky, but if there are no setbacks, Irving could be cleared to play against the Pacers.
“That would be nice,” Scott said with a laugh. “I guess that’s a possibility. But I’m not going to jump the gun until the doctors tell me he’s OK and cleared to practice. Then we’ll go from there.”
The Cavs could certainly use Irving in the wake of Anderson Varejao’s fractured wrist. The Cavs are thin at a number of positions right now because of injuries.
Replacing Varejao
Scott started Semih Erden at center in place of Varejao, but wouldn’t commit to him beyond Saturday. Scott has been critical of Erden’s effort level in recent weeks and reiterated again Saturday he wants to see more hustle out of the big 7-footer.
Scott did not mention Tristan Thompson as a candidate to start at center, even though the rookie replaced Varejao after the injury Friday and played the game’s final 26 minutes.
“I didn’t really think of starting him at all. My first thought was Semih,” Scott said. “I just want to keep [Thompson] coming off the bench for right now. I want him to get a little more entrenched in what we’re doing. He missed awhile. I want him to get a couple more practices and get his timing back.”
Friday was Thompson’s first game back following a sprained ankle that kept him sidelined for 10 days. Thompson’s natural position is power forward, although he does have experience at center. Scott has played him there in small doses this season.
“He’s a special talent,” Thompson said of Varejao. “Not only in terms of rebounds, but what he brings just with energy and toughness. It’s a big loss for us, but guys like myself, Samardo and Semih have to step up and bring bits and pieces of what Andy has and bring it to our game.”
Big chance
Varejao’s injury provides an opportunity for Samardo Samuels, who has looked lost this year following a fairly productive rookie season. Samuels played primarily power forward last season following Antawn Jamison’s broken pinkie, but Scott has asked him to play a decent amount at center this year.
Samuels is a bit undersized (6-foot-9) for center, but he’s happy just to have a chance again. Samuels was the first center off the bench Saturday when Erden needed a break.
“At this point, I just want to be out there on the court,” he said. “Sitting on the bench is frustrating. It’s just unfortunate it’s at center and trying to do what Andy does, which is give 100 percent and all-out effort every night. If I get my chance to go in there and play center, I just want to hustle and get our team second chances.”
No worries
Jamison entered Saturday averaging 28.7 points and 39 minutes in his past three games, a staggering number of minutes for a 35-year-old with a history of knee problems and a sore Achilles.
With so many injuries, Scott has few other options than to play Jamison big minutes. But for now, Scott isn’t worried about overworking the best viable scoring threat still healthy.
“Antawn is a warrior,” Scott said. “The next few days, I can give him days off. I can rest him and not practice him. Those young guys need more work than he does. That’s not a worry right now.”
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at http://cavs.ohio.com Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ. Follow ABJ sports on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
