Links to the Present: February 22, 2012

“A three-ball from the top of the key. A cross-over move from the left elbow that found fellow rookie guard Brandon Knight wondering what the heck just happened as the ball fell through the nylon. And an Alonzo Gee steal turned into a 360-degree, over-the-shoulder, no-look pass back to the athletic wing for the unabated dunk. The entire sequence took roughly one game minute, but it was just the momentum the Cleveland Cavaliers needed to extend a lead against the Detroit Pistons, a lead they would never relinquish thanks to consistent defensive efforts across the board coupled with timely conversions on the offensive end. A lead that would ultimately end in a one-point win at home — their second consecutive win by the narrowest of margins.” [Scott Sargent]

“[In the fourth quarter] Kyrie went supernova. He took over. Alonzo Gee helped, but Ky completely dominated for a five minute stretch. He made some unreal moves in the paint, drained big three pointers, and had an absolutely ridiculous behind the back pass to Gee for the crush. When it came time for the Pistons to foul to extend the game, they put Irving on the line and he swished them both. Let me remind you that he is 19 years old. He’s nineteen.” [Conrad Kaczmarek]

“The versatile Gee returned to his natural spot on the floor and in the rotation on Tuesday. He had started the previous two games at shooting guard in absence of Daniel Gibson and Anthony Parker. This is a player who entered the season with neither a guaranteed contract or roster spot and has become one of Scott’s most indispensable contributors off the bench.” [Tom Reed]

Kyrie Irving’s going to compete in the Skill Challenge during All-Star weekend. We will all bear witness to how accurate his bounce passes can be.

And I’m over on the Daily Dime over at ESPN very concisely discussing last night’s Cavaliers win.