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NBA Cleveland Cavaliers

How Far Can Kyrie Irving Carry Cleveland Cavaliers?

By

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

There were doubters everywhere when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected guard Kyrie Irving first overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, and for good reason. Although he played well as a freshman at Duke, Irving had only a sample size of 11 games to be evaluated on, as he missed most of the season due to a foot injury. Now after just his second season, Irving is on the verge of being mentioned as one of the NBA’s best young point guards. But how far can the rising star carry the struggling Cavaliers?

Irving was named to his first of many All-Star teams and finished the season with averages of 22.5 points, 5.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds and shot .452 from the field and .391 from long range, numbers that would be great for a veteran, let alone a player in just his sophomore year in the league.

But despite his outstanding scoring, Irving has still suffered the injury bug for the third straight year. Irving missed 15 games as a rookie and another 23 games this past season, making the concerns regarding his ability to stay healthy more of a reality than a myth.

The Cavaliers suffered yet another losing season this past year, and it cost head coach Byron Scott his job and the responsibility to turn the franchise around should fall squarely on Irving’s shoulders, not whomever the front office brings in to coach the young team. Irving is the unquestioned face of the franchise for now, and he appears to have the charisma to match his dazzling game.

Cleveland will need Irving to become more of a leader as well as stay healthy next year. He is the key to their success, and if Irving can take that next step from rising star to clear leader of the team, the Cavaliers may be able to rebound from three consecutive losing seasons to again be a respectable NBA team.

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