HoopsHype.com Rumors

If Kyrie Irving is cleared medically to return prior to the end of the season, coach Byron Scott indicated he will allow Irving to return to the court for the Cavaliers’ final few games this season. Irving has missed two weeks with a shoulder injury that was expected to take three to four weeks to heal. Scott said Irving got some shots up near the end of practice on Monday, but still hasn’t been cleared to return. If and when that happens, coach and player will have a conversation about what he wants to do. Then there remains a decent chance Scott will allow him to return to the court. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Injuries, Kyrie Irving 

Ira Winderman: The Cavaliers have added ex-Heat guard Chris Quinn from the D-League. Byron Scott,. "He’s very steady.He just knows how to play." Twitter @IraHeatBeat

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Chris Quinn 

There are more than a few people around the NBA who think there will be pressure on Grant to succeed next season. The Cavs might need to make the playoffs in order for Grant and Scott to hold onto their jobs. You hear Cavs' fans say they don't want to be the eighth seed in the playoffs. They want to contend for a title. Well, you have to start that process somewhere. Make the playoffs next year and get your clock cleaned in the first round. Then come back the following season and try to get further. That's how it works in the NBA. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Coaching, Chris Grant 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade: And conspiracy theorists: Byron Scott said he talked with #Cavs trainer, doesn't believe Kyrie's knee is that bad. Will continue to monitor. Twitter @PDcavsinsider

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Injuries, Kyrie Irving 

Kyrie Irving made it through Sunday’s morning practice without incident and is expected to play tonight when the Cavaliers host the New York Knicks. “Based on what I saw in practice, there’s a good chance he’ll play,” coach Byron Scott said. “We will see how he feels after really going up and down and going a full scrimmage, and obviously that will determine whether he’s good to go or not. But from what I saw [Sunday], he’s good.” Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Byron Scott, New York, Kyrie Irving 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade: #Cavs coach BScott clarifies comment on whether Irving should make All-Star team: "Does he deserve to make it? You damn straight.'' Twitter @PDcavsinsider

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Kyrie Irving, All-Star 

J.R. Smith was talking about his Denver days and saidhe purposely did things “that would [tick] George off,” as in Nuggets coach George Karl. Smith clashed with Karl and his first coach Byron Scott. But Smith has clicked with Mike Woodson. Smith said he has become a more reliable player because he said he doesn’t want to disappoint Woodson. Sulia

New York Knicks, Byron Scott, Mike Woodson, George Karl, J.R. Smith 

CBSSports.com: Chris Paul is held as the gold standard in this league when it comes to the point guard position. His work ethic, skill, the way he's so proficient at everything. But even then, I really believe Kyrie has a chance to be the best point guard in the league in the next, really, four to five years. Do you agree? Byron Scott, head coach, Cleveland Cavaliers: I think it is. I think one thing that he needs to do this summer is call Chris Paul and work out with him. CBSSports.com: Why's that? Scott: Because then he would learn from the best. I know he's friends with LeBron James. I know Kevin Durant. He needs to work out with some of these guys, some of the biggest stars in this league, and see how they work. I think he'd have a different perspective on what this is all about. I think it would help him tremendously. But I do think in the next 3-4 years ... He and I have talked about this. He has the possibility of being the best point guard in this league. CBSSports.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Kyrie Irving 

CBSSports.com: You get the first pick, you get the kid with all this talent, but then he comes in with kind of attitude. Does that make it easier to deal with all these growing pains the team is going through? Scott: It does make you more excited, because we know that we have a few of the pieces in place, they're just young pieces. They have to mature and grow and gain that experience. One thing I love about Ky at 20 years old is that he really is more mature than most 20-year-olds. He has a pretty good idea of what he wants to do, what he wants to be in this league. He has a vision of where he's going to be in the next four years. You don't see that in most 20-year-olds when they come in the league. Most times they just want to play. They don't really think about next year or the year after. He's thinking about two, three years from now down the line. His maturity level is totally different from most guys I've coached at that age. CBSSports.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Kyrie Irving 

Scott’s undying optimism is one of his best traits. His job depends on it. He’s avoided almost any talk about his job security. For one thing, he’s so well-liked by the media. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more easy-going NBA coach. Unlike some of the previous coaches in Cleveland, he’s not paranoid and not afraid of losing his job. That allows him to say things many of his predecessors were afraid to say. Morning Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Coaching 

The Cavs (5-23) have looked lethargic. They’ve looked a little confused. They’ve looked like they are a long way from understanding how to win at this level. Even coach Byron Scott, a major player (and supporter) in the Cavs’ strategy of gradual improvement, is wearing a look of concern. And with good reason. “I’m not running out of ideas yet -- but I’m getting close,” Scott said. “As patient as I am, the one thing I am getting more than ever is frustrated.” FOXSportsOhio

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Coaching 

Scott is frustrated that the Cavs never really seem to pick up the intensity during games any more. They just kind of stay the same while their opponents get better. He’s also frustrated that the Cavs have been playing to the level of their competition. Opponents from New York and L.A. tend to bring out the best in them. Opponents from boring Midwestern towns tend to bring out the worst. FOXSportsOhio

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Coaching 

For Irving, it's not enough simply to score points. "I want it all," Scott said. "I'm serious. I do. I want him to be a complete basketball player. That means giving it on both ends every single night. If you ask Kyrie he wants to be a complete basketball player. From that standpoint I'm going to be very demanding. The biggest thing with him is he's getting to that point where he has to want to take that challenge every single night." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott 

NBA fines Cavs coach Byron Scott $25K for criticizing refs after Timberwolves game on Friday (per NBA). Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Coaching 

KC Johnson: All-timer: Reporter's cell phone rang during Byron Scott's availability. Scott answered it, had long, jovial chat with caller. Twitter @KCJHoop

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Coaching 

BScott's initial reaction to Spurs' $250,000 fine: "Wow." It would appear NBA Commissioner David Stern is headed down a slippery slope with his $250,000 fine of the Spurs for sending home a number of their best players prior to Thursday's game against the Miami Heat. But Cavs coach Byron Scott doesn't think it will impact the way teams handle their lineups. "I don’t know if it’s going to get to that point where you say, 'We have to check with the league,'" he said. "I think most coaches are going to do what they feel is best for their players and their team." Sulia

Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Byron Scott, Coaching, Gregg Popovich 

Byron Scott has a sense of humor His opening comment: "Well tonight Andy Varejao was again fantastic and everybody else didn’t suck." Sulia

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Anderson Varejao 

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said newly signed power forward Kevin Jones likely will not join the team this weekend but will remain with the team's NBA D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge, for the short term. The coach doesn't think he'll stay in Canton long. "I don't know at all as far as when we expect to see him,'' Scott said as the Cavs prepared for tonight's game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. "If I had to guess, I think we'll see him pretty soon. He'll be up here and start practicing with us. "As you guys know, in training camp we really liked Kevin, thought he could be a pretty good NBA player. That's why we wanted to keep him around, get him into Canton, see how he'd played. Obviously, he played very well. "I don't know what type of NBA player he's going to be, but it's going to be interesting to find out.'' Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, D-League, Kevin Jones 

According to the website 82games.com, Thompson's shot is blocked 22 percent of the time when he throws the ball at the rim. Further, Thompson's attempts when "close" to the basket -- in essence, not a dunk but not a jumper -- is a staggering 37 percent. By comparison, Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao is blocked 4 percent of the time, overall, and 10 percent when he attempts a "close" shot. Enter the solution: Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Byron Scott brought in the former Cavaliers big man and current assistant to the general manager Thursday to teach Thompson a thing or two about how to avoid being blocked. Ilgauskas was strolling the Cavaliers practice facility in street clothes Thursday. The main thing Thompson needs to work on, Scott said, is making quicker decisions -- and moves. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Tristan Thompson 

"A lot of times [when] he gets it, he puts it on the floor and he's trying to gather," Scott said. "By the time you do all that, you've got two bigs or three guys surrounding you, and they're just trying to push him under the basket even farther. Now he's going up, and most of the time, it's against somebody who is 6-11 or 7 foot, so he's at a disadvantage." The 6-9 Thompson might be smaller than the 7-3 Ilgauskas, but the Lithuanian still has some tricks to teach. In Ilgauskas' final season in the NBA, with Miami, he was blocked 4 percent of the time and 15 percent of his "close" shots. " 'Z' has shown him some things I think can be really good for him. It's just a matter of him implementing it to be a little more effective," Scott said. "I think he has that in him. It's just a matter of continuing to do it." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Tristan Thompson