CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tyronn Lue's recent starting lineup change has given Kyrie Irving a substantial new responsibility: defending the point guard.
This might seem like an obvious assignment given Irving's position, but over the last few months, while J.R. Smith recovered from a thumb injury, DeAndre Liggins or Iman Shumpert took that challenge, an attempt to cut off "the head of the snake." It was also part of a big-picture plan to keep Irving from getting worn down in the regular season, keep him from having to fight through a plethora of on-ball screens.
With J.R. Smith back in the starting lineup, a move Lue made prior to Wednesday's loss against the Denver Nuggets -- the defeat that led to both Lue and LeBron James questioning the team's toughness -- Irving is back to defending on the ball.