He also appeared in all 20 postseason games for the team despite being bothered by the wrist injury.
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Rose missed all of the 2012-13 season after tearing his left ACL during the first round of the 2012 playoffs, and played only 10 games two years ago after tearing the meniscus in his right knee.
During the offseason, the Cavaliers built up their backcourt depth with the signing of veterans Richard Jefferson and Mo Williams to go along with the re-signing of shooting guard J.R. Smith and point guard Matthew Dellavedova. The Cavs have reportedly been unwilling to meet Thompson’s demands of a max deal or a three year deal at around $50 million. I don’t think so, but I definitely improved. “If there’s one position we have it at, it’s at the guard spot. We’ll just play it by ear”.
You can understand why Griffin doesn’t necessarily feel compelled to start burning up the phone lines.
Shumpert is considered the team’s best wing defender.
Cleveland, which was without Irving, Kevin Love and Anderson Varejao while losing 4-2 to the Golden State Warriors in the National Basketball Association Finals, is no stranger to injuries.
Players have had injured wrists before but due to the severity of the injury Shumpert has, that is the reason he needs the surgery and why he is going to be out so long.
Smith, who started 45 games with the Cavs following a trade from New York, is the most likely candidate to replace Shumpert in the starting lineup.
“Obviously, it’s a big blow for our team”, James said. “This thing is a short-term thing”.
Harris being a a candidate as the sixth/seventh man is not going to happen, but he will be needed regardless a lot more now in general as a piece of their rotation.
The injuries that derailed last season’s title run and lingered throughout the summer continue to plague a Cavaliers team that will now have to wait until at least December for a healthy roster.
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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports.
