Live Thread: Cavs vs. Celtics (#BawkBawk)

Another Celtics visit to Cleveland… another no-show by former Cavalier Kyrie Irving. Surprise, surprise. This time around, the Uncle is saying “uncle” due to “load management” my new favorite NBA excuse. Granted, this is the usual time of year that playoff teams start resting their stars for the anticipated postseason run… something we were all too familiar with over the past four years here. But, considering Boston is in the midst of a four game losing streak, is fighting just to somehow regain home court advantage over likely first round opponent Indiana, has other starters (Al Horford, Jayson Tatum) dealing with injuries, and is facing an improving Cavs squad… is that really advisable?

Yes, Boston has won all three of the previous tilts this season with Cleveland, including twice without Irving and the results weren’t all that close. Outside of the seven point margin in early February at the Q (103-96), the usual outcome is a blowout. All the more reason for Kyrie not to lace ’em up, right? Or, is there another reason Uncle Drew is dodging his former team and city? It’s doubtful he’s afraid of facing his replacement in Collin Sexton… though it probably wouldn’t be a good look if the rookie outscored him, especially in a Cavs victory.

No, what’s more likely (in my humble opinion anyway) is that while KI is more than happy to dish out shade to the organization and fanbase that rooted for him during his first six NBA seasons… he has no stomach for being on the receiving end. Just this week, he felt the need to dismiss any feelings at all about his time here…

Kyrie Irving asked if it still means something to go back to Cleveland: “No, not at all.”

— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) March 25, 2019

Though maybe it doesn’t mean anything… because he never actually shows up to play. And, maybe he never actually shows up to play… because he can’t handle the slings and arrows of getting booed mercilessly.

Kyrie Irving is a very good player, who can be great when he chooses to be. He will always be the dude who hit The Shot that helped secure the first championship in Cleveland in a half century. He might now be “The Man” for his new team… but, he’s not a leader. A leader shows up when his team needs him. A leader is accountable. A leader measures his words carefully and gives them meaning. A leader doesn’t dodge uncomfortable situations.

So, where you at Uncle? Bawk bawk…

Meanwhile, the Cavs tonight should prove to be an excellent opportunity for the young Cavs to do damage to another playoff bound team. They’re mostly healthy, and playing one of their final home games of the season in front of likely a decent sized crowd. Oh… and it is a Tuesday. Though the Kyrie-less Celtics might actually play with some energy and defensive edge without their resident “leader” throwing their coach under the bus. They should probably get used to that… since there’s a moderate chance Uncle will say “uncle” again this summer and move on to his next stop.

Oh by the way, on a Cavs note, Kevin Love is 27 points away from the 12,000 mark and can become just one of eight players in NBA history to accumulate at least 12,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and 1,000 3-pointers made… possibly as soon as tonight.

Prediction: Breaking from my usual Tuesday faux-lopsided prognostications, I expect this to be a hard-fought game from the jump, but the Celtics should be desperate for a win to help them catch the Pacers… while the Cavs would probably be better served to not catch the Bulls in the win column. Cavs do enough to show they could win, but call the “Jordan Clarkson ISO step-back trey” play (or some such thing) to hand Boston a 105-103 victory.

Catch all the action starting at 7pm EST on FSO… and, as always, get your squawking in below…