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Cleveland Cavaliers: 25 Best Players To Play For The Cavaliers

By Phil Watson

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; A general view of a painting outside of Quicken Loans Arena prior to game six of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; A general view of a painting outside of Quicken Loans Arena prior to game six of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives to the basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives to the basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

PG. 2011-16. Kyrie Irving. 3. player. 156. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 1st overall pick from Duke, 2011 NBA Draft.

Even though an injury limited Duke freshman Kyrie Irving to just 11 games, his potential was intriguing enough for the Cleveland Cavaliers to take him with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

It’s been a good choice.

CLE_03_IRVING
CLE_03_IRVING /

Irving was the Rookie of the Year in 2011-12 and has gone on to become a three-time All-Star—winning MVP honors at the 2014 NBA All-Star Game—and was an All-NBA selection in 2014-15.

He was third in the NBA in minutes per game in 2014-15 while helping the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals.

But Irving played in just one game of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, going down late in Game 1 with a fractured kneecap after putting up 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks in 44 minutes while going 10-for-22 from the floor, 2-for-8 from 3-point range and 1-for-1 at the line.

The Warriors went on to win the series in six games.

Last season, Irving didn’t make it back from the knee injury until late December and his minutes were limited for about a month.

In 53 games, he averaged 19.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 31.5 minutes a game on .448/.321/.885 shooting.

But he was rolling along in style by the time Cleveland got back to the Finals against the Warriors.

Irving put up 27.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals in 39.0 minutes per game in the series whole shooting .468/.405/.939. It was his three-pointer with 53 seconds left in Game 7 that gave the Cavaliers the lead for good.

In five seasons with Cleveland, Irving has averaged 20.8 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 34.0 minutes per game, shooting .452/.378/.865.

Irving is under contract through 2018-19 with a player option for 2019-20 on an extension signed in July 2014.

Next: 2nd-Round Pick A Super Shooter

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