Kyrie Irving s defense improves thanks to Team USA stint
The 6 foot 3, 193 pounder missed three games with a sprained right ankle. Teammate Anderson Varejao stepped on his foot in practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts, just hours before the Cavaliers flew to Brazil.
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Irving said he s made a significant step on defense, an area of his game that had been lacking.
He s putting intense pressure on the ball, which is the first line of defense.
Coach wants me to do it, and I want to do it, he said. I actually enjoy doing it. Coach K drew that fire in me and put me out there and told me what to do on the defensive end. It s more or less about trusting the defense and the guys behind me.
If I pick up my energy and my defensive presspatagonia coupon discounture, the other guys have to fall in line as well. It s my job as a point guard.
He credits his time with Team USA for honing his defensive skills.
Don t be surprisedpatagonia interlodge down jacket review if Irving is among the league leaders in steals this season. He has three steals in two preseason games heading into the Chicago contest Oct. 20 in Columbus.
Steals can be misleading, Irving said. If my defensive pressure leads to steals, great. I would trade steals for blocked shots any day. I had three (blocks) in the last game. As long as we get stops and I m impacting the ball, that s all that matters.
He said he felt good in the Mavericks game, although it was an adjustment reacting to tpatagonia hybrid pack vest reviewhe speed of the game.
I told my teammates once I came to the bench, I apologize for the first five or six minutes. Everything is going really, really fast for me, Irving said. I had to re acclimate myself within the game, apatagonia jacket h2no military green apple men's sz xs rare hoody torrentshellnd once I picked up the defensive intensity, the game started to slow down for me.
He said his wind wasn t compromised with the long layoff.
Playing for two months (in the World Cupatagonia outlet store 607p) helped me, Irving said. It put me in a good place as far as my body being in shape. My body feels real good right now.
He s looking forward to the matchup with the Chicago Bulls, who many think will be the Cavaliers biggest challenge in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
It should be really competitive, Irpatagonia messenger bag tutorials0ving said. It will be a great test for all of us. (There will be) some great matchups within the game, as well.
None better than at point guard bpatagonia expedition race unlimitedetween Irving and Chicago s Derrick Rose.
The Cavaliers (4 1) are expected to have the Big Three or Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love intapatagonia everlong review nokiact for the Bulls game.
It s important for every game going forward, Irving said. In order for us to be successful this season, we have to come together more as a team.
Hepatagonia messenger bag tutorials1 likes what he s seen of Blatt s offense.
You have to trust that it works, Irving said. I believe in it. We ve had a few slippages here or there. It s a process. (It s) an offense that is tailored to great players that fits the players on our team.
Blatt said he ll likely treat the game likepatagonia guide jacket 3xl it s in the regulpatagonia guide jacket 57ar season since it s the last one wpatagonia messenger bag tutorials3here the Big Three will all play. James said he won t play in the Memphis game Oct. 22.
Quick shots
The Cavaliers waived guards Chris Crawford and Stephen Holt after practice Oct. 19. The roster stands at 16, one over the limit. Forward Shane Edwards is hanging onto the last roster spot, for now. He could be headed to the Canton Chpatagonia messenger bag tutorialsarge.
