When the season started many thought the Cleveland Cavaliers could have three starters in the All Star game. LeBron James as a shoe in, Kevin Love had made it for a few years in the West and Kyrie Irving won the All Star MVP award last year.
Yet only LeBron is starting and Love is not expected to even fill in as a backup after his tough start to the season. That leaves Irving as the Cavs hope to get multiple All Stars. The question becomes whether he will get the honor.
According to Zach Lowe of Grantland he should:
"Irving hasn’t been as obviously essential to the Cavs; teams are slaughtering Cleveland when Irving plays without LeBron,3 and though Cleveland’s thin pre-trade roster explains some of that, we don’t have much evidence that Irving is ready to be the no. 1 guy on a good team. Still, he’s trying on defense, and he’s finding the right times of late to snatch the reins of the offense."
Talk about faint praise from Lowe for Irving. Lowe selected Irving to join Dwyane Wade, Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague as guards for the East.
It isn’t who Lowe, or others, have making the team. Instead it is about who isn’t making the team. In Lowe’s example Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose and Brandon Knight would be out. Walker is dealing with an injury, but may deserve the nod while Rose has been dominate and Knight has led a surprising Bucks team.
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That is why Irving could find himself on the outside looking in from the All Star Game. The East may not be stacked in talented teams but they are stacked in terms of stud guards. Down the road Bradley Beal and others will join the competition with Irving.
Not starting this year impacted his extension. With starting this year he would have been eligible for the Rose Extension for more money. Instead he loses out on a few million dollars based on the voting of the fans. Surprised we didn’t hear any anger from Irving from that result having that big of an impact.
For the season Irving is tied for 13th in scoring at 21.3 PPG to go along with 40% shooting from deep and a fine 47% shooting percentage overall. He has added 5.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game as well. As Lowe notes, Irving has also improved his defense.
Even with all those great numbers, the slow start to the season for the team likely impacted his fan votes and could impact what the coaches decide about reserves. With the Cavs coming together for a winning streak it likely means that Irving is going to make the team. However the tough competition could change things.
Does Kyrie Irving make the All Star Team?