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NBA Player Power Rankings: 2017 All-Star Weekend Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 113-104. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 113-104. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: Point Guard
Age: 24 (3/23/1992)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .462/.389/.906
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.2 MPG, 24.4 PPG, 5.9 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 2.4 3PM

Never before has Kyrie Irving carried the burden that he’s about to for the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Kevin Love sidelined by a knee injury, the Cavaliers will need Irving to step up and be the superstar that LeBron James believes he can be.

Thankfully for the Cavaliers, Irving has carried his weight since Love went down by stepping up with a number of clutch performances.

To begin this past week, Irving posted 27 points and five assists in a 125-109 victory over the Denver Nuggets. He then posted 25 points and seven assists during a 116-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

For good measure, Irving lit up Jeff Teague and the Indiana Pacers for 26 points, seven assists, and two steals in a 113-104 victory.

Irving has proven throughout his tenure with the Cavaliers that he’s capable of taking over games in the fourth quarter. That’s an invaluable strength, specifically for a team that asks LeBron James to carry a heavy burden and often needs a different player to step up in the clutch.

Never afraid of taking the deciding shot, Irving will need to re-establish himself as the clutch maestro he is for Cleveland to overcome Love’s injury.