HomeFeaturesNew Jersey's Kyrie Irving: Writing His Ticket To The Hall Of Fame

New Jersey's Kyrie Irving: Writing His Ticket To The Hall Of Fame

In the 2015 movie Creed, Rocky Balboa points toward Adonis Creed’s reflection in the mirror and says, “That’s the toughest opponent you’re ever going to have to face.” The same can be said for former St. Patrick’s high school and Duke University star, Kyrie Irving. Growing up, Irving was always the best player on the court. For instance, he averaged 24.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists and 4.5 steals per game during his senior year of high school.
The man they call “Uncle Drew” committed to play his collegiate ball at Duke University. During his freshman season, he averaged 17.5 points, 4.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. At Duke, Irving only played in 11 games due to injury, but was selected first overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Irving worked hard to become a great player in high school and college, but it wasn’t until he became a pro that he had to look at himself in the mirror and face his toughest challenge: himself.
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Irving had a great rookie season but soon after, criticism came pouring in from the national media. Some said he was too fragile to play 82 games. Others questioned his position, saying he wasn’t a true point guard and would be best suited at the shooting guard spot. They also questioned whether he had a winner’s mentality and wondered if he just cared about stats. We live in a society where we want instant gratification and immediate results. I never bought into the unfair description of Irving on the court, but he silenced his harshest detractors this year.
The Cleveland Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals to defeat the defending champion Golden State Warriors. The Cavs won game seven in part because Irving hit a clutch shot to give Cleveland a three-point lead. With 53 seconds left and the game tied 89-89, Irving made a three-pointer and the Cavs never relinquished their lead, winning the game 93-89. It was the first time since 1964 that the City of Cleveland had won a title in any major sport. Irving’s NBA Finals Stat line was phenomenal: 27.1 points, 2.1 steals, 3.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game, along with a 40.5 percent shooting perecentage from three and a 93.9 percent mark from the free throw line. He outplayed two-time MVP Stephen Curry.
Other than Magic Johnson (who didn’t win a Gold medal until 1992 with the first Dream Team since only amateurs were allowed to play before then), there hasn’t been a point guard to accomplish this much all before the age of 25. (In addition, Larry Bird beat out Johnson for Rookie of the Year in the 1979-80 season and Johnson didn’t win All-Star game MVP until 1990 when he was 30 years old and never won the three-point contest, which debuted in 1986.)
Kyrie’s achievements:

  • Rookie of the Year
  • All-Star Game MVP
  • All-Star 3-point shooting contest winner
  • 3-Time All-Star
  • NBA Champion
  • Olympic Gold Medalist.

Only 24, Irving is just entering his prime. He will only get better over the next few years and he will eventually become the focal point of the offense as LeBron James becomes the secondary option. Irving has matured, grown and evolved in a very short time. He has accomplished more in five years than most do in their entire career. When all is said and done, there will be four legendary point guards that my generation will talk about. Magic, Isiah Thomas, Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving. The only one who can stop Irving is the person he looks at every day in the mirror. Yes, he is that darn good.
For more from Monte Perez, follow The Sports Whisperer on Twitter @Montetjwitter11.


Photo credits: Hero (Top) Feature Image: © Allen Kee / ESPN Images

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