Second-greatest player in the history of each NBA franchise
Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving
Greatest Player: LeBron James
In the wake of LeBron James‘ first departure, Kyrie Irving was drafted No. 1 overall in 2011 as the savior of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He wasn’t able to fill LeBron’s shoes, but after his first three NBA seasons that included two All-Star appearances, James’ return meant he no longer had to try.
Instead, LeBron’s presence put Cleveland back onto the national spotlight, which in turn served as the perfect platform for Irving to truly showcase his talents as one of the game’s best ballhandlers and feared shot makers.
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Those skills were no more on display than in the 2016 Finals, where Kyrie averaged 27.1 points across the seven game-series, hitting the shot to help secure the Cavs’ first-ever NBA championship.
Through his six years in The Land, Irving made four All-Star Games and averaged 21.6 points and 5.5 assists per game.
He possessed a mesmerizing reel of greatness with the ball in his hands that fostered a Finals legend. And without it, Cleveland’s championship drought remains ongoing.