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The Cleveland Cavaliers announced on Monday that Kyrie Irving suffered a fractured finger on his left hand. The original reports have him missing roughly four weeks, with the chance to be re-evaluated after two weeks. Regardless of how much time he misses, this is absolutely awful news for the Cavs. You see, although the Cavs are just 2-8 right now, they get SO. MUCH. WORSE. when Kyrie isn't on the court. How much worse? Keep reading and you'll see.
TL;DR version:
*WARNING: VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. THESE STATS WILL BE INCREDIBLY UGLY AND POSSIBLY INAPPROPRIATE FOR SMALL CHILDREN. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK*
Okay, so the Cavaliers currently have the 25th best offensive efficiency in the NBA with 101.3 points per 100 possessions. With Kyrie Irving on the court, they score 108.3 points per 100 possessions. With Kyrie Irving on the bench, they score 81.6 points per 100 possessions. A difference of 26.7 points per 100 possessions. THAT IS ABSURD.
Visual approximation of Cleveland's offense without Kyrie:
Sure, that number is enough to tell you that the Cavs suck without Kyrie. But let's go a little bit deeper.
Without Kyrie Irving on the floor, Anderson Varejao's field goal percentage drops to 36%.
Without Kyrie Irving on the floor, Dion Waiters' three-point shooting drops to 33%.
Without Kyrie Irving on the floor, Alonzo Gee's field goal percentage drops to 33%.
Without Kyrie Irving on the floor, Daniel Gibson's field goal percentage drops to 46% and his three-point shooting drops 5% from 47 to 42%.
Without Kyrie Irving on the floor, the Cavaliers are being outscored 27.7 points per 100 possessions.
Without Kyrie Irving on the floor, the Cavaliers' team true shooting percentage (TS%) drops from 52.7% to a pathetic 43.8%.
Without Kyrie Irving on the floor, the Cavaliers score just 27.5% of their points in the paint (down from 45.9% of their points when he is on the floor).
Sure, these stats are skewed because Kyrie is typically playing with the rest of the starters as well, but the point stands. Kyrie Irving is Cleveland's best player and these next four weeks are going to be BRU-TAL.
One more visual approximation:
Stock up on Christmas Ale -- this is gonna be a long month, Cavs fans.