Cavs' Kyrie Irving: Top rookie
In just 11 games at Duke, Kyrie Irving showed enough to be the No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA Draft. Some people thought it was a selection by Cleveland that spoke to the lack of depth available. Irving showed in his first year it was more about him.
The point guard was splendid for the Cavaliers, offering hope that there can be life after LeBron James. Irving was so solid that he will receive Tuesday the league’s Rookie of the Year Award for his efforts this season, according to ESPN.
Irving finished his stellar rookie campaign averaging 18.5 points, 5.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 51 games. He showed steady floor generalship and improved as the season progressed. He’s no James – who is? – but he established almost immediately that he is a major piece to the Cavaliers’ rebuilding.
