The Cavaliers have officially ruled
Kevin Love out for the Eastern Conference semi-finals due to a dislocated left
shoulder. The Cavs are either going to play the Bulls or Bucks in the next
round. Love’s injury occurred during Game 4 in their series-closing victory
against the Boston Celtics. Love believes that Olynyk (from the Celtics) even
did it on purpose. The average leave
time for a dislocated shoulder is 27 days meaning the Cavs are not too hopeful
for his return.
This is a
huge setback for the Cavaliers as they had potential to win the Eastern
Conference. In Love’s first three games against the Celtics he averaged 18.3
points. LeBron James remains hopeful that the next player on the Cavs can step
up, but this will be a difficult position and player to replace. Love was a
great scorer and rebounder. It seems
likely that the Cavs will play the Bulls (who are 3-1 over the Bucks), and this
will definitely be a challenge to win without Love. If there is any time in the
Eastern Conference to withstand this setback, it will be the newly revamped
Cavaliers. With LeBron in the reigns and help from Irving, anything is
possible.