The Kyrie Factor: How Irving's return could rejuvenate two Cavs role players
When Kyrie Irving was healthy and playing, J.R. Smith averaged 12.7 points on 43 percent shooting with the Cavaliers.
After Irving's injury? Smith's averages have dropped to 11.2 points and 37 percent from the field.
When Irving was healthy and playing, Timofey Mozgov averaged 10.6 points on 59 percent shooting.
Minus Irving? Mozgov's averages are way down -- at 6.7 and 48 percent, respectively.
And those are just the regular-season stats. A simple eye test could tell you that Smith and Mozgov just weren't the same without their All-Star point guard in the Finals.
A lot of people forget that about Irving: He's an All-Star. He's not just someone who puts up big individual numbers, forsaking the rest of the team in the process.
Irving is the engine that drives LeBron James, Kevin Love and the rest of coach David Blatt's Cavaliers.
That is something to consider as so many seem to be asking, "What's happened to Mozgov?" Or they insist, "J.R. just isn't quite the same."
Irving admirably hobbled his way through much of the postseason -- playing on one good knee, and one that looked like it was held together by peanut butter and jelly. It finally gave out in Game 1 of the Finals.
Surgery followed, and the Cavs' offense hasn't flowed as smoothly as regularly. Because of the injury, Irving wasn't at his best in the playoffs. But his presence alone helped everyone else be better. Based on the aforementioned numbers and a basic knowledge of basketball, that appears to especially be the case for Smith and Mozgov.
Now, this isn't to say Irving's absence is the only cause for Smith's up-and-down start. Nor is it the lone reason for Mozgov's struggles to get back to where he was.
Either way, the Cavs enter the weekend with a record of 14-7. That's still the best in the East. It's not like they're dazed and confused and headed down the tubes.
They just aren't as good without Irving as they are with him.
That's hardly an inside scoop, but it's something a lot of people seem to be ignoring (or outright forgetting) these days.
Irving doesn't just impact the play of Smith and Mozgov. He makes life easier for everyone on his side -- LeBron and Love included.
Irving may be the league's best ball-handler. He is an excellent perimeter shooter, hitting a career-best 41 percent of his 3-pointers last season. He uses craftiness, skill and smarts to easily get around his man and drive to the basket.
That creates wide-open looks for Smith. It creates easy scoring opportunities for Mozgov at the rim. It makes it a really bad idea to double-team James, the league's best passing forward.
Irving is nearing a return. He's practicing and looking good. The same can be said of shooting guard Iman Shumpert -- and his defense and athleticism will also make his teammates' lives considerably easier.
But Irving is one of the best in the NBA at what he does. And what he does is take over games individually, while lifting the individuals around him.
So Smith isn't shooting the ball as well as last season? And Mozgov appears to be all out of sorts?
Well, give it some time. Give it some Kyrie Irving.
Based on what happened when Irving was healthy and playing last season, it should all work out just fine.
