The Cleveland Cavaliers had their eight game winning streak come to an end on Sunday when they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks and although they are still 8-2 they haven't been playing as well as they would like. Some of that has to do with missing players including Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert. Irving seems to be getting close to returning and Shumpert is making good progress too as he is reportedly ahead of schedule, according to Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com.
Shumpert ruptured the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris sheath in his right wrist while trying to finish an alley-oop in practice during training camp and was forced to have surgery. At the time he was given a 12-14 week timetable to come back which would put his return between the middle of December and the beginning of January. Shumpert is certain he could make it back at the low end of the timetable but also knows that he shouldn't rush back.
"I'm coming back when it feels right. I'm not in a rush. We know what we're playing for," said Shumpert.
While Shumpert is in no rush to get back on the floor he has been attacking his rehab extremely aggressively by all accounts. There were times when the training staff and coaches had to back him off a little bit but he is anxious to get back on the floor.
Even though Shumpert has made progress he still has some things he needs to do and that includes handling the ball with his right hand. In his rehab he has been doing everything lefty and he just recently started touching the ball with his right hand. Shumpert believes he will be able to take layups with his right hand within a week but that is the hand he shoots with so he will definitely need the wrist to be fully healed before he can get back on the court.
While Shumpert has been out the Cavaliers have been fine record wise but they can certainly use him as the other shooting guard options have not played well. J.R. Smith has started seven games and has an excruciatingly low PER of 3.3, Richard Jefferson has started two games and has a 9.3 PER and Jared Cunningham started the other game and has a PER of 7.3. Shumpert will not solve all of their problems at the position but he will at least bring some solid defense and the ability to make shots.
