Has Kyrie Irving’s Season Been Overshadowed?
Mar 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives to the basket past Toronto Raptors guard Louis Williams (23) at the Air Canada Centre. Cleveland defeated Toronto 120-112. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
If LeBron James is the King of Cleveland, then Kyrie Irving may just be Emperor of Euclid Avenue. OK, that distinction won’t ever again be used to describe Irving’s impact on the Cavs, because his play warrants more than be honored with a street name. But Irving’s becoming NBA royalty in his own right, yet, as weird as it seems to write, it can be easy to overlook the former No. 1 overall pick.
Irving is coming off a game in which he set the Cavs’ franchise single-game scoring record with 57 points, and yet, the guy couldn’t get voted in to start the NBA All-Star game…a rejection that cost Irving $3 million.
He also plays with the guy many consider to still be the best player in the NBA, while will he/won’t he soap opera storylines pop almost weekly over Kevin Love‘s future in Cleveland.
The point is that Irving is crazy good, and sometimes it is easy to overlook his stellar play.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst commented on Irving (27:46) being overshadowed, building off the take that it was “amazing” Irving wasn’t voted an All-Star starter.
"“He’s not going to one overshadowed for too much longer. I’m very surprised that his popularity, for some reason, slid this year…maybe that goes to the overshadowing, but it’s not going to be overshadowing for long.Kyrie obviously had big games before. Everybody in Cleveland knew about it. I thought everybody in the country knew about it because the guy was getting voted in to start the All-Star game last year, but I think a lot of people in the country are discovering Kyrie’s talent this year and I think that’s going to benefit him long term.”"
Entering March 15, Irving’s PER (21.63) was in the top 20. He’s averaging 22 points while dishing out 5.2 assists per contest. His shooting has dramatically improved, with his percentage up to .469, after dropping to .430 last season.
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Irving also doesn’t shy away from the spotlight. There’s that 57 he dropped on Pop and the Spurs–the first player to do so in the Greg Popovich era. He’s the reigning FIBA World Cup MVP. He’s won a 3-point contest and an All-Star MVP. And maybe most important for a city that’s had its heart ripped out by its players and teams, he wants to be a Cav. Yes, agreeing to $90 to stay in Cleveland would be an easy choice for most of us to make, but lots of professional athletes have balked at the money to come to Cleveland.
But not Irving. As soon as he has the chance to extend his contract with Cleveland, he did. Five years, $90 million. With the NBA’s salary cap set to explode before the 2016-2017 season, Irving’s deal will be one of the most valuable in the NBA.
And while history will show he wasn’t an All-Star starter, Irving should be named to the All-NBA team, along with the James. This accomplishment would mark the first time in Cavs’ history that two players were named to the squad.
Long live the Emperor And Euclid Avenue.