In a sense, the Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t received enough credit for their performance in 2014-2015.
Expectations for the NBA’s starriest super-team were through the roof – oddsmakers placed a brand new squad with a rookie coach as basketball’s championship favorite, and LeBron James was an overwhelming choice for league MVP. But the on-paper crown weighs a metric ton, especially when it’s ripped from you following an underwhelming start to the season.
Undeterred by their poor beginning, endless scrutiny, and daunting on- and off- court adjustments, the Cavaliers have become one of several teams with legitimate title aspirations as the playoffs draw nearer. Comfort has been key to their evolution, as has the January roster overhaul that brought in key contributors Timofey Mozgov, J.R. Smith, and Iman Shumpert.
But Cleveland couldn’t have overcome its early season struggles if the players didn’t believe they eventually would, and Kyrie Irving’s unwavering confidence and optimism throughout this group’s initially rocky debut deserves credit for fostering that mindset. According to Kyrie, though, sunshine-pumping is easy when you’re playing with a guy like James.
Here’s Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today:
Without question, Irving enjoys having James as a teammate, calling it “one of the greatest experiences in my life. … The game is fun, and I just love playing with him.”
We’ve no doubt that going from years of in-game patty-cake with Dion Waiters for lottery balls is less preferable than winning games with help of the world’s best player. But Irving’s transition to 1B playmaker from franchise and strategic centerpiece didn’t have to be easy – some youngsters of his talent level would balk at a reduced role, and many expected him to do just that.
But Irving never worried about a shift in responsibility with James aboard. This game, he says, is all about individuals adapting to help the greater good.
“Despite what everyone was saying about my ego and being able to play off the basketball and saying I’m ball dominant and I’m this and I’m that and I won’t be able to play with this person or that person or I’ll have to adjust, in basketball, you have to adjust no matter what,” Irving said. “Whether it’s a big adjustment or small adjustment, an adjustment needs to be made.
“Being a professional and having confidence in my abilities, I knew I could come in and just play basketball. You just figure it out. That’s what basketball is about.”
That’s not just lip service, either. Irving has backed up those claims with the best season of his young career.
The 23 year-old superstar has averaged 23.1 points and 5.1 assists per game in the Cavs’ last 36 outings, during which they’ve gone a league-best 29-7. And while his scorching 60.6 true shooting percentage over that timeframe is mighty impressive, his enhanced defensive commitment since the season tipped-off in late October might be Kyrie’s single greatest achievement in 2014-2015.
Considered one of the world’s top talents for years, many began wondering in 2013-2014 if Irving had what it takes to lead a team to greatness. Well, we still don’t have an answer and surely won’t for many years – Cleveland is and will always be James’ squad until his play seriously deteriorates.
But what we now know for sure is just as important as an affirmative to the old question: that Kyrie possesses the attitude, work ethic, and two-way impact of a winner. Let’s see if he can sustain it when the lights are brightest in his postseason debut.
