We’re only one game into the 2015 NBA Finals, but the overwhelming assumption is that the Warriors have a pretty easy path to a series victory, now that the Cavaliers are without both Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. It’s all up to LeBron James now, and he’s okay with that. On Saturday, James said it’s “fine” if people want to write off him and the Cavs. He’s enjoying playing the underdog role.
From Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com:
Kyrie Irving underwent successful surgery Saturday morning at the Cleveland Clinic to repair his fractured left kneecap.
Shortly thereafter, some 2,500 miles away, Irving’s Cleveland Cavaliers teammates and coaches were left to ponder their NBA Finals fate without the All-Star point guard.
“You’d love to see us at full strength, obviously, for the Finals,” coach David Blatt said. “The situation as it is is what it is, and we’re going to come out and play and play to win. Request no quarter and no sympathy. We’ve got to come out and play and play to win. That’s it.”
Added LeBron James: “[I] understand that we were the underdog coming into the series, and with Kyrie being out, people are writing us off. So, I mean, that’s fine. That’s fine. I’m motivated to get our guys ready to go tomorrow [for Game 2], and we will be ready.”
