Three long years Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving endured coaching changes, lottery picks, and opposing offenses scoring at will on his team. All of which led to disappointing results on the Cleveland basketball scene.
Now that Irving is back and seemingly 100% healthy, the Cavs enter the regular season not just a well oiled machine, but perhaps a diesel fueled engine.
Irving scored 69 points in only three pre-season games during the past week. After having no one significant to play with his first three years, his eagerness to play is showing.
He looked like his old self. But this time, the stage was bigger.
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Though the Cavs lost two of the three games they had Irving’s services, the 22-year-old guard proved he can still be dominant with another dominant presence on the floor. No one questioned if Irving could be a facilitator with Superstars LeBron James and Kevin Love, but he maintained his dominant scoring while catching the eye of both his big three buddies.
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In addition to his offensive rampage, Irving connected on 41% of his three-pointers, thumped 85% of his free throws, had 15 assists, with four steals and four blocks; including three swats in the Dallas game.
While no one bought into the notion LeBron made earlier that this is “Kyrie’s team” it will be his offense to synchronize; at least until the fourth quarter. With the national media in attendance on a nightly basis, Irving will be feeling the pressure somehow someway. But it hasn’t gotten to him yet.
And with point guard play diminishing in the East (enter center stage Derrick Rose, if possible?) Irving’s game will be under the microscope even more.
Being a former number one overall pick, Irving has dealt with expectations his entire basketball career. This season’s escalation will prove what type of player Irving really is. So far, he is looking like one of the best.