Kyrie Irving on playing with LeBron James: ‘We’re going to have to change our games’
After convincing forward LeBron James to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, spurning a Miami Heat team he left the Cavaliers for in 2010, earlier this month, the Cavaliers know they could now become one of the elite teams in the league. With three former number one overall picks, point guard Kyrie Irving (2011), forward Anthony Bennett (2013) and swingman Andrew Wiggins (2014) and two number four overall picks, big man Tristan Thompson (2011) and guard Dion Waiters (2012), there is plenty of talent. Plus, some of those players could be on their way out to make room for Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love.
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Irving believes the Cavaliers have a lot to work to do to become one of the elite teams.
“Our team, we have a lot of work to do,” Cavs All-Star Kyrie Irving said this week during Team USA training camp via Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. “Everyone is going to be coming for us, and that is what you want as a competitor, especially in the NBA. When it comes to that point, I’ll be prepared.”
It is widely believed James can help Irving reach his potential, but Irving obviously won’t the ball as much now that James is in the fold.
“You do think about [changes] because you’re going to be playing with the greatest player in the game,” Irving said. “I’ve talked to several teammates about how we’re going to have to change our games.”
James put up 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 56.7% from the field, 37.9% from three and 75.0% from the charity stripe last season. Irving put up 20.8 points, 6.1 assists, 3. rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 43.0% from the field, 35.8% from beyond the arc and 86.1% from the free throw line.