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Cleveland Cavaliers: Pre-ASG Player Grades

By Quenton S. Albertie

Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Eastern Conference forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers (23) and Eastern Conference forward Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers (2) laugh during the NBA All-Star Practice at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Eastern Conference forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers (23) and Eastern Conference forward Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers (2) laugh during the NBA All-Star Practice at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA: Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers
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Cleveland Cavaliers. . Kyrie Irving. A-.

2016-2017 season averages:

24.4 points, 5.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals per game

46.2 percent shooting on all field goals, 38.9 percent on three-point attempts

How Kyrie Irving has performed prior to the All-Star break:

Kyrie Irving came into this season with a different level of confidence after “The Shot”. no longer seeking validation, Irving now looks like a player who just goes out there and plays freely. No longer is he maligned for his volume shooting, that’s simply part of his offense. No longer is he criticized for over-dribbling, although that’s because Irving doesn’t do that anymore. Irving, who is one of the best scorers in the game with his ball-handling, shooting stroke and range, has altered his game this season. He attacks faster, he’s more fixated on facilitating than ever before and he’s not demanding the ball in the clutch, he’s just getting the ball in clutch moments and going to work. Irving’s defense has also improved of late. He may never be considered an above-average defender but if he keeps up his recent activity on the defensive end, he can at least stop being considered a defensive liability.

Kyrie Irving’s highlight of the season so far is another clutch shot against the Golden State Warriors. This time over Klay Thompson. Irving, The Ankletaker, is also The Warrior Killer.