4. Kyrie Irving Is Only Getting BetterÂ
At just 24, Irving is already one of the best point guards in the league. After last year’s playoffs, Irving let the world know just how good he is. The All-Star averaged 25.2 points in the postseason, having a memorable 41 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals and hitting the game-winning 3-pointer at the end of Game 7 to help the Cavs win.
The youngster’s brilliant finals performance put him on the map and earned him a top spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team. Irving joined James, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen as the only players to win a championship and gold medal in the same year.
Over the course of 2016, Irving went from an All-Star level to a superstar level. While he may not earn the same respect as some top-dog point guards, the champion outplayed Kyle Lowry in the Eastern Conference Finals and back-to-back MVP Stephen Curry in the NBA Finals.
Irving’s confidence is on another planet and he’s looking to carry that energy over to next season.
Next: New-Look Golden State Warriors
