BREAKING CAVALIERS NEWS: Szczerbiak Out 2-3 Weeks
Written By: TD | Category: Cleveland Cavaliers | Comments: 13
During last night’s big win over Orlando at the Q, Cavaliers Guard Wally Szczerbiak went down with a knee injury and did not return to the game. The hope was that the Cavs could actually dodge an injury bullet, but they of course couldn’t. According to the PD’s Brian Windhorst, Szczerbiak will miss the next 2-3 weeks with a sprained left knee.
While Wally has been an extremely valuable member of the rotation all year, playing both power and small forward, the wine and gold has been in this position before. Newly benched Daniel Gibson will once again get regular time in the backcourt, as well as swingman Tarence Kinsey. Sasha Pavlovic should get deeper minutes as well.
Since the beginning of this magical season, Gibson, Pavlovic, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Ben Wallace, Kinsey, and Delonte West have all missed extended periods of time with various injuries. Yet they still managed to have the best record in the NBA at 54-13. Its a true testament to the depth that GM Danny Ferry has put together. Oh, and having a little someone named Lebron James doesn’t hurt either.
Author: TD
TD is a born and bred Clevelander who agrees with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt when he says ""Ranch Dressing makes everything better except for cereal and ice cream."TD has written 253 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
They’ll survive and Wally will have a few games to get back up to speed for the playoffs.
Boy, am I glad we didn’t trade that guy! I don’t blame anyone, but I will always feel that not trading Wally’s expiring deal was a missed opportunity. It is really too bad the Camby deal couldn’t happen. How great would Camby be on this team playing D?
So he’ll be high-fiving in street clothes…
Pretty sure Wally has been HUGE for us this season. Now we get the pleasure of watching Gibson brick every shot he takes.
“Breaking Cavaliers” News indeed.
Well, I suppose Boobie’s going to have to step up and make up for Wally’s 4.9 ppg in 16 minutes, now.
Wally does more than just shoot 3’s. He is a decent post player. Don’t think this doesn’t hurt the Cavs at least a little for the next couple weeks.
Will it matter over the final three weeks of the regular season? I am not sure as the lead in the East keeps on growing..
Walter, ya know, it’s Smokey. So his toe slipped over the line a little – big deal. It’s just a game, man.
Might be a blessing in disguise, Wally has looked a little spent the last few games. Love to see if Kinsey can regular minutes, and Sasha just plays better with more floor time. Potential down side: coach may be reluctant to sit LeBron for extended mid-game minutes with Mo being the only reliable scorer. Wally’s usually out there with Mo.
Don’t kid yourself. Through all of Wally’s nonathletic, YMCA-like antics on the court, this guy is good for solid production off the bench. He finds ways to score…something we cant say about too many other people on this team.
Boobie, its your time. I’m one of the fans in the minority that refuses to give up on you. Hopefully this recent stint on the pine has allowed your toe and your mind to get right.
And for god’s sake Mike Brown, play Kinsey. He plays solid D, runs the offense and just all around plays his role the way a bench player should.
OK–give his minutes to Kinsey and Sasha and hope Gibson can knock down a few more shots. Cavs should not lose a step here and Wally will be back before the playoffs. Anything new about Wallace’s status?
I haven’t given up on Gibson, but I’ll argue to the death if someone tells me hes a consistent bench scorer, hes just too streaky and was definitely in a terrible slump when Mike Brown finally attached him firmly to the bench. As everyone said hopefully he comes out of it.
This will be an excellent time to see how much faith Mike Brown has in TK. Sasha has played starting minutes in the past and if Brown doesn’t have faith in Kinsey expect to see Sasha log big minutes at the 2/3 (albeit off the bench).
@ Brian: Couldn’t agree with you more on your Wally assesment.
The guy is a tough player, good shooter, and good defender. I’m glad we couldn’t trade him. I’d have only been happy if we got Camby for him, anyone else would have been a downgrade. It’ll be tough without him, but I’m not too concerned considering the way the Cavs have fought thru injuries all year long, and the train kept rollin’. 15 games to go. Kind of sad that the season is winding down. What a great year to be a Cavs fan! (After 27 disappointing years!……well, the last 2 or 3 haven’t been that bad)