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NBA Power Rankings: Top 20 Players Heading Into 2017

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 26, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) defends Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) as Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles the ball during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) defends Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) as Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles the ball during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: Point Guard
Age: 24 (3/22/1991)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .481/.420/.876
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.7 MPG, 23.9 PPG, 6.0 APG, 3.6 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 2.3 3PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers have three legitimate stars in LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving. Though Irving is viewed as more of an upside player than a presently elite contributor, he’s beginning to realize his potential before our very eyes.

Long pegged as a score-first point guard with an unhealthy tunnel vision, Irving has begun to break out as one of the most gifted facilitators in the NBA.

Irving has recorded at least 10 assists in five of the Cavaliers’ past seven games. He’s also recorded 16 steals over the Cavaliers’ past four games, which is a strong sign that he’s rounding into form as the true point guard he’s skilled enough to be.

Irving was compared to the likes of Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving coming out of high school, and it’s becoming easier to understand why.

Irving began his recent five-game stretch by torching the Milwaukee Bucks for 31 points and 13 assists. He also had 25 points, 10 assists, seven steals, and a game-winner against the Golden State Warriors, and dropped 32 points and 12 assists against the Boston Celtics.

If you were on the fence about whether or not Irving is a Top 20 player, then the past seven games should’ve calmed your nerves.