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
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