Kyrie Irving on Cavaliers: ‘Everybody’s going to be coming for us’

The Cleveland Cavaliers now have a target on their back. Anytime one has the best the player in the world on its team that’s going to be the case and LeBron James certainly fits that distinction.

More from Cleveland Cavaliers

• NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
• Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
• NBA Rumors: 3 teams that should trade for Joel Embiid
• NBA rumors: How Donovan Mitchell could wind up on the trading block
• The new NBA flopping rules explained

However, don’t expect the Cavaliers to shy away from the attention. Star point guard Kyrie Irving, for one, says he’s excited about the Cavs’ new status.

From Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding:

"“Everybody’s going to be coming for us,” he said. “That’s what you want as a competitor, especially in the greatest league that we play in.”"

Unless the Cavaliers acquire Kevin Love, they won’t have the same target James’ Miami Heat had, due to the Heat’s status as a super-team. But the Cavs still should get their opponents best effort more often than not, which Irving and his once-low profile Cavs didn’t have to deal with in recent years.

Still, this is a much better situation for Irving, obviously. The point guard now has a prime opportunity to win, but also has some of the individual pressures relieved that he’s had to deal with in past seasons.

"How did Irving sum up those years? “The grind of being that guy every single day.”(…)“Being the No. 1 pick after Bron left, I quote-unquote became the face of the franchise, but I kind of shied away from that. I was just trying to come in as a rookie and figure my way out. Second year, same thing. This last year, same thing.“I’m just figuring it out.”"

Everyone might be coming for Irving and the Cavs, but he and the team has James to do the heavy lifting and fight them all off.