featured-image

Daily News - August 3, 2015

**NOTE: The news clips and articles listed don't necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of the Cleveland Cavaliers or their Basketball Operations staff, partners, or sponsors.**

The right medicine: Cavs doctor's difficult task is made more hectic by his role with Clinic
Author: Timothy Magaw
Publication: Crain’s Cleveland

Just as the Boston Celtics' now-vilified big man Kelly Olynyk pulled on Kevin Love's arm during the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, Dr. Richard Parker jumped from his seat, over a guard rail and sprinted into the training room at almost the same time as the Cleveland Cavaliers' star power forward.

"I just knew that something wasn't right,” said Parker, the Cavs' head team physician and recently named president of Marymount Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic's 315-bed community hospital in Garfield Heights.

Love's injury — ultimately diagnosed as a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder — was a devastating blow for the team, and, for better or worse, one of the most memorable moments of the season for Parker. - CLICK HERE to read full story.

Coming off All-NBA season, will Kyrie Irving's shooting regress?
Author: David Zavac
Publication: Fear the Sword

Kyrie Irving was perhaps the most consistently enjoyable feature of the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2014-15 season. Coming off a season in which he failed to connect with former coach Mike Brown, or former shooting guard Dion Waiters (at least on the court), and which saw several of his shooting numbers stumble, there were a lot of questions about the 22 year old point guard. He had just signed a massive maximum contract extension. His defense improved, sometimes, but was still far from where you'd want it to be. The Cavs didn't have the personnel to cover it up.

More uncertainty was added, though I can think of no better uncertainty. LeBron James returned, and many spent the summer and training camp wondering just how the two would fit together. Irving had struggled with the ball-dominant Waiters and Jarrett Jack; would James be the same?

While Irving is still far from a defensive plus, he lived up to his promise as an elite offensive force, and in fact excelled next to LeBron James. He played in 75 games, made All-NBA third team, and was the only NBA player to drop 50 or more points in a game more than one time over the course of the season. His efforts against the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs were all-time performances. - CLICK HERE to read full story.