By Kevin Scheitrum, NBA International
OAKLAND, Calif. - The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't hold practice on Friday. Instead, the Oracle Arena floor belonged the team's two most important remaining members.
- LeBron James, who staged an impromptu shooting workout in the middle of ring of media that stretched around the 3-point line.
- ..and David Blatt.
Hours before Cleveland's title hopes were dealt a crushing blow -- news that Kyrie Irving would be out for 3-4 months with a fractured kneecap -- Blatt stood firm on the floor. He'd already conducted a media session, but the coach of the beleaguered Eastern Conference champions hung around long after, granting request after request.
He might've been killing time. He might've just wanted to watch Timofey Mozgov shoot free throws. But just as LeBron's shooting exhibition delivered a message to the assembled media that James is ready to fully shoulder the load, Blatt's stand had a similar effect: a show of strength in a time of need.
The strength has to come from somewhere. It'll come from James, the 4-time MVP who'll need to find a way to improve on his 44-point performance in Game 1. And it'll need to come from Blatt, who has to figure out the right buttons to press to make this series anything but a foregone conclusion.
"Golden State has a very deep roster that's been one of their strengths throughout the season. We've been a team that's been struck with injuries that has shortened ours to a certain extent," Blatt said. "I think we did pretty good coming through that. We're here in the NBA Finals. But certainly their depth is something that has to be reckoned with, and it's a factor for them."
The Cavs have gone without Irving before. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they dispatched with the Hawks in four games with Matt Dellavedova running the show for most of the series.
"As far as how we prepare, we've been through this," Blatt said. "We've played games without Kevin, without Kyrie. We know how we want to play when they're not in there. From that standpoint, we can prepare."
"It's something that's not new to us," James said. "So next man up, and guys will be ready for the challenge."
But talk is one thing.
For the Cavs to pick up a win at Oracle in Game 2 -- let alone bring home a title -- Blatt will need to dust off the end of his bench and strike the right combination to counteract a 10-deep Warriors club.
Strategically, the Cavs looked ready for Game 1. Curry did shoot 50 percent from the floor and the Warriors did win the rebounding battle, but Cleveland came within inches of winning the game at the buzzer, when Iman Shumpert's last-second shot hit the back of the rim.
But he'll also have to inject one more thing into the Cavs lineup: belief.
Which is where he and James will meet. Blatt, priming the pieces and putting them into play. LeBron, putting them into action.
"I thought our effort and heart were in the right place, and we played well enough to win on a very difficult away court at the highest level of the NBA," Blatt said. "Sometimes, the smallest things make a difference, and I thought that was the case last night."
"We've had a great rhythm. We haven't had much luck, and we haven't been healthy," James said. "But I haven't gotten discouraged. I understand the moment that I'm in, and I'm not too much worried about the game. I'm worried about the moment. I'm happy with the moment. I'm excited to be in this moment once again, and I'm going to stay strong for my team, no matter who is or is not in the lineup."
