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NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Time Statistics Are Tough To Ignore

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) walks down the court after making a three point shot over Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) during the overtime at Verizon Center. Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Washington Wizards 140-135 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) walks down the court after making a three point shot over Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) during the overtime at Verizon Center. Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Washington Wizards 140-135 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: Point Guard
Age: 24 (3/23/1992)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .467/.393/.899
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.2 MPG, 24.3 PPG, 5.9 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 2.3 3PM

If one were to evaluate the basics of Kyrie Irving’s game, they could argue that he isn’t a Top 20 player. He’s just shy of being elite as a scorer, has been inconsistent as a facilitator, and leaves something to be desired on the defensive end of the floor.

What solidifies Irving’s place as a Top 20 player, however, is his uncanny ability to take over and legitimately dominate in the clutch.

When LeBron James fouled out of the Cavaliers’ highly anticipated clash with the Washington Wizards, Irving took over. He scored nine points in the final 4:00 of overtime, including seven points in the final 1:47 of the extra period of play.

That includes a pair of shots during the final 1:01 of overtime that were reminiscent of a prime and clutch Kobe Bryant.

The next time out, Irving took over with 29 points and seven assists in a 132-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers. He accounted for 15 points in the third quarter alone, when the Cavaliers pulled away from the Pacers and created an insurmountable deficit.

With a game-winner in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on his resume, one could argue that Irving is the most clutch player in the Association.