Ranking the Top 5 first overall picks in Cleveland Cavaliers history

Ranking the Top 5 first overall picks in Cavs history

Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) argues with referee Marc Davis (8) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. James was called for a technical foul. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles past Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the second half in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kyrie Irving (2011)

Kyrie Irving was taken number one overall out of Duke University in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Irving has averaged 21.6 points and 5.5 assists per game during his six-year career. In the 2016-2017 season, Kyrie had his best year yet., averaging a career-high 25.2 points to go along with 5.8 assists per game. He also shot 47.3 percent from the field, 40.1 percent from three-point range and 90.5 percent from the free-throw line.

I’m not sure if LeBron would be back in Cleveland if the Cavs didn’t have Irving. He wouldn’t have left a contender to go back to a Cleveland team with no star players to help carry the load.

Kyrie helped lead the Cavs to their first title in the 2016 Finals. In Game 7, he made the biggest shot in Cavalier history to seal the deal for Cleveland.