With the Cleveland Cavaliers adding LeBron James and Kevin Love to the team, the impact will be huge for Kyrie Irving.
In a matter of one month, the Cleveland Cavaliers went from being the punchline of the NBA to one of the powerhouses and elite teams. Signing LeBron James and trading for Kevin Love would do that to any franchise. But the impact of those two players will have the biggest impact on young point guard, Kyrie Irving.
Irving went from being the best player on the Cavs to the third. It may be the best thing that has happened to the young guard from Duke.
He had to carry some bad Cavalier teams the past couple years and while he was used to winning his whole basketball career leading up to his time in Cleveland, it was uncharted territory. He endured losing seasons and having to overcome injuries. From being the only option on offense, Irving did it all. And at times, frustration set in. Within myself and with other teammates.
With James and Love, Irving doesn’t have to worry about being a leader or the voice in the locker room. He can go out and play his game. His numbers will take a small dive with having to share the ball with two All-Stars, but that shouldn’t discourage fans or Irving himself in the long run. He will have games where he’s the main focus and take over late in contests.
Irving will also benefit from James needing attention from defenses and help move the ball to find open players along the perimeter.
There were rumors of Dion Waiters and Irving struggling to coexist on the floor and sharing the ball. The Cavs played well while Irving was injured and Waiters took over running the Cavs offense. While losing causes frustration with any team, the beef between to the two players should be squashed.
James assumes the role of leader and puts Irving in a situation where he doesn’t have to the main player on the floor and in the huddle. Of course, Irving will be called upon in certain games to take over and teams will have to respect his ability. But having Irving in a relaxed, drama-free atmosphere will bring out the best in him.
Irving has collected several accolades since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2011. From Rookie of the Year to two All-Star game appearances, including the 2014 game’s MVP, he has set the foundation to a bright career in Cleveland. And all of this was accomplished with two different head coaches in Byron Scott and Mike Brown.
The expectations are higher now. The accolades he’s achieved were with teams that were not in playoff contention or had any chance of making noise in the future.
Now that Irving will be playing important games in the spotlight of the national stage, his play will be analyzed differently than past years. He won’t be viewed as a player who is carrying a poor team; but a player who is a cornerstone of a franchise that will be competing for a NBA title for years to come.
James has publicly stated that this is Irving’s time to shine.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com, James explained the vision of the Cavaliers, and it starts with Irving.
“I’ll probably handle the ball a little bit, but this is Kyrie [Irving’s] show,” said James last month. “He’s our point guard. He’s our floor general, and we need him to put us in position to succeed offensively. He has to demand that and command that from us with him handling the ball.”
James has never played with a point guard like Irving. From his time in Cleveland, James was frequently called upon to handle the point. Mo Williams did flourish with the Cavs, but his ability does not match Irving.
Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers did the job, but again, nowhere near the level of Irving.
Coming back, my letter kind of spoke for it, what this city and Northeast Ohio, what I mean to it,” James added. “That had a lot to do with it, probably 95 percent of it. And the fact that Kyrie was here as well. That’s a huge part. I’ve never played with a point guard like Kyrie Irving, a guy that can kind of take over a game for himself. We need it.”
The pieces and spotlights are there for Irving to succeed and become the player he was touted to be back in college. The Cavs are going to be one of the best teams in the NBA, if not NBA history when it’s all said and done.
The sky-high ceiling for the Cavs means a sky-high ceiling for Irving. If James feels comfortable showcasing Irving, the NBA better take notice.
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