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Kyrie Irving News & Rumors

Irving, Thompson make NBA All-Rookie teams
May 23
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, the 2011-12 Rookie of the Year, was the leading vote getter for the NBA's All-Rookie first team announced on Tuesday, and teammate Tristan Thompson made the second team. In voting by the league's 30 coaches, Irving finished with 58 points, followed by Minnesota's Ricky Rubio with 49, Never's Kenneth Faried with 46, Golden State's Klay Thompson with 43 and New York's Iman Shumpert, San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard and Detroit's Brandon Knight, each of whom received 40 points to tie for fifth place."
Irving officially named to USA Select team
May 22
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Kyrie Irving was named to the 2012 Team USA Men's Select team today in a long-expected announcement. The Select team will train against the men's Olympic basketball team from July 6-12 in Las Vegas. Irving will then remain in Las Vegas to participate with the Cavaliers' summer league team July 13-22. Irving, who has dual citizenship with Australia, bypassed playing with the Aussies in the Olympics this summer, so he could participate with the Select team and align himself for a spot on the men's Olympic roster in 2016. "The USA Select Team was a vital part of the USA Men's National Team's training in 2007, 2008 and 2010, and again in 2012 we'll utilize this team of select NBA players to"
Kyrie Irving takes his talents to the small screen in commerical for Pepsi
May 19
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"That Kyrie Irving is quite a character. No, really. The Cavs point guard who was just named Rookie of the Year created and plays a character named Uncle Drew in new online videos for Pepsi MAX. Reminiscent of Wise LeBron in The LeBrons commercials that LeBron James did for Nike a few years ago, the 20-year-old Irving, who was quite a ham while performing in high school musicals back in New Jersey, adds about 60 years and 60 pounds to become Uncle Drew, who shuffles in as a sub during a playground game in New Jersey and then proceeds to dominate the ''young blood.'' The end of the five-minute video, which was written and directed by Irving and features cameo appearances by his father,"
Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving accepts Rookie of the Year award with emotional speech
May 16
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Kyrie Irving had three months to write his acceptance speech. Just like his performance on the court, he nailed it. Irving accepted his Rookie of the Year award Tuesday with an acceptance speech that had comedy bits and was full of emotion. He thanked the Cavaliers' fans and organization, poked fun at coach Byron Scott, thanked his father, Dred, for raising him and paid tribute to his mother, Elizabeth, who died when he was a child. "I know she's looking down on me and I wish she was here to accept this award with me," Irving said. "She's not sitting in that seat, but I know she's right here in my heart and throughout the season, I know she was with me. She's going to continue to bless me."
A father and son share the joy of Kyrie Irving's Rookie of the Year award
May 16
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 columnist Terry Pluto
"Kyrie Irving started with the jokes about his dad and Cavaliers coach Byron Scott. "Both are bald, wear nice suits and nice socks," said the NBA's top rookie of 2011-12. Then Irving talked about how his father and Scott "got rolls" in their bald heads when angry. You could see the veins almost popping, he said. Standing on stage next to the Rookie of the Year trophy, Irving looked at his dad in the front row of the audience. "I love you, man," he said, his voice cracking. "I'm living my dream. Without you, I don't know where I'd be.""
Early failure set path to Rookie of the Year success for Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving
May 16
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 columnist Mary Schmitt Boyer
"In a season filled with dazzling plays and superlative descriptions, Kyrie Irving said that when he looks back on his first NBA season, he will most remember a play that failed. During Tuesday's press conference announcing his selection as the league's Rookie of the Year, the Cavaliers' young star -- not surprisingly for a young man whose motto is to stay humble and hungry -- spoke about the moment coach Byron Scott called his number near the end of a tie game at Indiana. In the season's third game came a turning point in their relationship."
Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving named Rookie of the Year -- but not unamimously
May 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"It finally was made official Tuesday -- Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving is the NBA's Rookie of the Year. Irving is the second Cavaliers player to earn the honor, which was not unamimous. He received 117 of 120 first-place votes, with Denver's Kenneth Faried, San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard and New York's Iman Shumpert each earning one first-place vote. Minnesota's Ricky Rubio finished a distant second in voting. Irving averaged 18.5 points on 47-percent shooting, 5.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 30.5 minutes per game."
Kyrie Irving's rookie legacy? Big talent, little ego
May 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving packed lightly for his journey from No. 1 overall draft pick to NBA Rookie of the Year. In a league where it's not uncommon for players to take four bags on a two-game road trip, the Cavaliers point guard often arrived at the airport like a frugal traveler trying to avoid luggage fees. "With Kyrie, it was nothing but the bare essentials," a team official said. Such was the first season for a highly-productive, low-maintenance star. He came with no excessive baggage or requests or friends requiring special attention. Irving was a minimalist everywhere except on the score sheet. It's not only that he met expectations, but it's how he achieved them that excites many in the"
Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving to be named NBA's Rookie of the Year
May 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"For a youngster who entered the league shrouded in mystery and added suspense to so many Cavaliers fourth quarters, Kyrie Irving siphoned all the intrigue from the NBA Rookie of the Year race this season. By the time he started hitting game-winning shots in the season's first month and scoring 20 points on a regular basis, Irving had turned a contest into a coronation. He was Secretariat at the Belmont, forcing the media covering the chase to use an increasingly wider angle to keep the likes of Ricky Rubio, Kenneth Faried and Brandon Knight in the same picture. To nobody's surprise, the 20-year Irving will be named the league's rookie of the year. The announcement will be made Tuesday, two"
Kyrie Irving invited to participate on U.S. Select Team
May 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving will have a busy July representing team and country in Las Vegas. The presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year not only will lead the Cavs' summer-league squad, but also help prepare the U.S. Olympic basketball club as it readies for the Summer Olympics in London. USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo confirmed that Irving will receive an invite to participate on the U.S. Select Team, which acts as a sparring partner for the Olympic team and serves as a pool of talent from which future international sides will be drawn. The select squad, comprised of 10 to 14 players, will scrimmage against the Olympic team from July 5-12, a Team USA spokesman said. The Cavs"
Kyrie Irving could miss Cleveland Cavaliers final home game due to illness
April 25
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving apparently has taken ill and is doubtful for the home finale against Washington on Wednesday night at The Q. Coach Bryon Scott is expecting Donald Sloan to start in Irving's absence on Fan Appreciation night. The Cavs beat the Wizards on April 14 without Irving or Antawn Jamison in the lineup. That was the Wizards' last loss. They have won four straight. Scott said he received a text message from trainer Max Benton about Irving's illness on Wednesday morning. The team did not practice on Tuesday after back to back games in San Antonio and Memphis in which Irving averaged 22 points. Irving could be home in bed with a 103 temperature, but it won't stop some"
Kyrie Irving scores 25 points, but Cleveland Cavaliers lose to Memphis Grizzlies
April 24
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Lots of Cavaliers fans wanted to see Kyrie Irving and his sprained right shoulder in street clothes for the remainder of the season for fear of re-injury. Four games into his return, Irving's opponents are once again the ones worrying about damage control. The presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year is shaking off the rust the way he often does defenders in the paint. The 20-year-old point guard scored 25 points Monday night in a 109-101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. "That's why we wanted him to come back, just to go out there and get his feet wet and keep accepting the challenge every single night," Cavs coach Byron Scott said. "He's done just that, so I'm very excited about the"
Byron Scott says Kyrie Irving could possibly return to action Wednesday
April 18
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"About 45 minutes before Tuesday night's tipoff, Kyrie Irving was still on the court running to spots for pull-up jumpers and guarding Cavaliers assistant coaches Nate Tibbetts and Jamahl Mosley. As the season winds down, the 20-year-old rookie is gearing up for a late comeback. Irving, who sprained his right shoulder on March 30, endured his most rigorous workout in recent weeks in hopes returning to action. The presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year played 3-on-3 after morning shootaround and showed no ill effects. He absorbed hard screens and didn't shy away from contact, Byron Scott said. "He got hit a couple times pretty good and he didn't seem to flinch," the coach said. Scott is growing"
Kyrie Irving's return remains in the 'maybe' stage with Byron Scott
April 16
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Byron Scott said Kyrie Irving could return to the lineup as early as Wednesday night against Philadelphia -- or not at all in the season's final two weeks. The Cavaliers head coach continues to take a cautious approach with Irving's sprained right shoulder and places more importance on the off-season work he wants the presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year doing several weeks after the final game on April 26. "We do not want to have a setback going into the summer where he has to rest for three or four weeks and not be able to participate in some of the things we want him to participate in," Scott said. "I might be overly cautious with this right now, but it's in his best interest.""
With precious few games remaining the Cleveland Cavaliers should not return Irving and Varejao to the lineup
April 16
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 columnist Tom Reed
"One fan favorite returned to the Cavaliers lineup on Sunday night at The Q while two others remained where they belonged in street clothes on the bench. Injured Kyrie Irving and Anderson Varejao got to watch Moondog arrive on the court rocking an eye patch and a protective canine cone. The team mascot suffered an eye injury during a play fight gone wrong Wednesday against Indiana's David West. Moondog showed he's hockey tough by not missing a game. The Cavaliers showed their smarts by continuing to remain vague on the returns of Irving (sprained shoulder) and Varejao (fractured wrist). Ten days ago, I wanted them both to come back and play with Tristan Thompson to see how those three"
Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao remain out until at least Sunday
April 12
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving participated in the pre-game shoot-around Wednesday night at The Q, taking shots and perhaps raising some hopes of fans seated at courtside. That's as close, however, as the presumptive NBA rookie of the year will likely get to the action for at least a few more days. Coach Byron Scott said Irving (sprained right shoulder) and Anderson Varejao (fractured right wrist) probably are out through Friday and Saturday's games. The coach said their status would be reassessed on Sunday as the Cavaliers host Orlando. In a best-case scenario, both players would get a good practice in before returning to the lineup. But because of the frenetic schedule, the Cavs do not practice again"
Varejao, Irving ruled out for Tuesday's game against Bobcats
April 10
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Kyrie Irving and Anderson Varejao were limited participants at practice on Monday and neither will play Tuesday when the Cavaliers host the Charlotte Bobcats. Coach Byron Scott said Varejao was limited to non-contact activities at practice and simply ran through a few offensive sets, but there is still no timetable for his return. Scott, however, remains optimistic Varejao will return at some point before the season ends -- provided he is cleared medically. "If (the medical staff) says, 'They probably shouldn't play the last three or four games,' then they won't play," Scott said. "If they say to me that they're 110 percent sure that both their injuries are 110 percent healed and they want"
Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving out 7-10 days after aggravating sprained right shoulder
April 5
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Cavaliers rookie guard Kyrie Irving will be out 7-10 days after aggravating his sprained right shoulder Tuesday night against San Antonio. Starting tonight in Milwaukee, the Cavs have six games in the next 10 days. Irving, who had 13 points and five assists in 29:41 against the Spurs, originally suffered the injury in Friday's home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Irving did not travel with the Cavaliers to Milwaukee for Wednesday's rematch. Instead he had an MRI at the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Sports Health on Wednesday."
Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving wins third straight East Rookie of the Month honor
April 3
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"As far as the Cavaliers are concerned, there's no question that Kyrie Irving will be named the NBA's Rookie of the Year when the season ends. "I don't think it's even close," coach Byron Scott said. "If he's not, I don't know who's in competition," Antawn Jamison added. "I'm biased, but just look at his body of work and the things he's done. Game after game opponents are trying to do everything possible to stop him. To be averaging 18 or 19 points a game, I don't see him not being the Rookie of the Year." Irving, listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against San Antonio with a sprained right shoulder, was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month on Monday for the third time"
Milwaukee Bucks demolish Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-84; Kyrie Irving injured
March 31
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"It was a case of adding injury to insult. As bad as the Cavaliers' 121-84 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night at The Q was -- and it was bad, according to a Tweet from owner Dan Gilbert -- the news of rookie Kyrie Irving's sprained right shoulder was worse. "I don't know how it can get much worse, but, yeah, if he goes down, obviously that makes it that much worse," Cavs coach Byron Scott said. Irving, who flew with the team to New York for today's game against the Knicks, said he injured the shoulder when he fell after running into a pick by Ersan Ilyasova with 2:12 left in the second quarter. He played all 12 minutes of the third quarter and finished with a team-high 29 points as"
Irving injures shoulder in blowout loss to Bucks
March 31
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"About 30 minutes after the Cavaliers suffered one of their worst losses of the season, owner Dan Gilbert emerged from coach Byron Scott's office. The entire Cavs braintrust was present for Friday's postgame meeting: General Manager Chris Grant, assistant general managers David Griffin and Michael Blackstone and Scott. Gilbert's presence in the locker room following a game is rare, but it's not often the home team loses by 37 points and the franchise player leaves the arena with a sprained right shoulder. Yet that's the position the Cavs are in today following a 121-84 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, which was compounded when Kyrie Irving sprained his right shoulder late in the second quarter."
As Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving turns 20, he shows he's a man of many gifts
March 23
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"In his last game as a teenager, Kyrie Irving finally made the kind of mistake you would expect from a 19-year-old playing in a man's league. In the third quarter of Wednesday's overtime loss to Atlanta, the Cavaliers' rookie point guard threw a no-look, over-the-head bounce pass that flew out of bounds and plunked Harry the Hawk in the beak. Not since Nuke LaLoosh beaned the Durham Bull has the sports world witnessed such mascot abuse by a young phenom. Harry the Hawk was unfazed. So was Irving en route to a 29-point, nine-assist, nine-rebound performance in the Cavaliers' 103-102 setback. And, while he couldn't hit a 19-foot bank shot in the closing seconds to deliver his fourth"
Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving looks to locate his shooting touch
March 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving is as quick with a quip as he is with a drive through the lane. After his third straight subpar shooting game Tuesday in a 96-88 loss to Toronto, he was asked if he might be hitting the "rookie wall." Irving responded with this pearl: "The whole rookie wall thing is a myth and I haven't hit it yet." The point guard, who turns 20 in nine days, has been so good for so long this season fans aren't accustomed to seeing him convert just 14 of his 44 attempts in a three-game span. Of course, two of those games ended in wins in which Irving contributed handsomely in the fourth quarters. But it does mark the first time Irving has shot less than 50 percent from the floor in three"
Kyrie Irving likes his 'dimes', but Byron Scott wants rookie cashing in with points, too
March 13
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Oh, the exuberance of youth. Byron Scott was focused on upsetting Oklahoma City on Friday as he overheard rookie Kyrie Irving excitedly talking about his mounting assist total. "He came to the bench and in his own little way said, 'I'm dropping dimes tonight.'" The Cavaliers coach said as Irving set a career high with 12 assists in the victory. "And, I just looked at him and started laughing and I said, 'OK, just keep dropping dimes.'" While the coach appreciates Irving's desire to involve his teammates early in games, he doesn't want the point guard to forget about getting his points, too. Irving has been slow to affect recent games in the scoring column. He had just four points at"
Cavaliers' Irving clinching role as closer
March 9
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Nineteen years on earth, 37 NBA games and four game-winning baskets in the game's final seconds. Kyrie Irving already has the reputation as the closer among his teammates, now the rest of the NBA is quickly figuring out how good he is at the end of games. Irving scored 10 points in the final three minutes of the Cavaliers' thrilling 100-99 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. Here is a breakdown of the game's final 24 seconds, as seen through the eyes of the Cavs' coaching staff, Irving and teammate Daniel Gibson. Irving's third driving layup gave the Cavs a 98-97 lead, but left the Nuggets with exactly 24 seconds. Coach George Karl called a timeout to set up a play,"
Kyrie Irving's clutch plays are no surprise to his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates
March 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Daniel Gibson knows what it's like to be a rookie in the zone. Few Cavs fans will forget his performance in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit that clinched the 2007 conference championship. Gibson scored 31 points, including a franchise-record 19 in the fourth quarter, as the Cavs advanced to the NBA Finals for the first -- and only -- time. Now he sees that same sort of confidence in his teammate, Kyrie Irving. "I see it in his eyes," Gibson said. "It's like a confidence to where it doesn't matter about the moment. He just loves playing the game and he's invested at that time and in that moment. You can see it at the end of the game, he made a layup and was like"
School ties that bind
March 8
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The funny thing was, before the game between the Cavaliers and the Nuggets on Wednesday night at Pepsi Center, everyone was joking about the Duke-North Carolina rivalry. Denver coach George Karl, a North Carolina guy, teased that he didn't even want to talk about Kyrie Irving, the rookie from Duke, even though he'd lavished praise on irving during Wednesday morning's shootaround. "I'm not a Duke guy,'' Karl said with a smile, "but he definitely is impressive.'' Imagine what he thinks now that Irving's driving layup with four seconds left lifted the Cavs to a surprising 100-99 victory. Not only that, but Irving, with five fouls, successfully defended against former North Carolina star Ty"
Drive, Kyrie, drive: Irving's determined fourth quarter ends Cleveland Cavaliers' skid, 100-99
March 8
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"They never played against each other in college, but Duke product Kyrie Irving and North Carolina alum Ty Lawson engaged in a little March Madness of their own on Wednesday night at Pepsi Center. The two went back and forth, making big play after big play, as the Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets battled down to the wire in a game that had no business being as close as it was. In the end, it was the rookie Irving's driving layup with four seconds left that was the difference when Lawson's driving layup at the buzzer missed and the Cavs escaped with a surprising 100-99 victory."
Kyrie Irving clarifies remarks about Coach K's future with Olympic program
March 7
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving clarified remarks he made Monday night regarding coach Mike Krzyzewski's future with the U.S. Olympic basketball program. The Cavaliers point guard said he spoke prematurely in saying Krzyzewski would coach the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. "I spoke to Coach K [and] he did tell me he was coaching, but I prematurely spoke on that," said Irving, who played for the legendary mentor at Duke last season. "But I know he's going to be part of USA Basketball. That's the most important thing. That's what made my decision easier. "He's going to be part of the USA staff anyway whether he's coaching or not. That way it's easy for me.""
Irving will not play for Australia in Olympics, aims for U.S. squad in 2016
March 6
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving didn't require a national audience to make his decision. And, it's unlikely any No. 2 Cavaliers jerseys were burned in the streets of Melbourne. The rookie simply informed a couple of reporters after Monday night's Cavaliers game that he will not play for the Australian Olympic team. Irving, who was born in Australia and maintains dual citizenship, had been pondering the chance to play for the Boomers in London. Instead, he will focus on making the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. Irving said he has learned that Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski -- for whom he played last season -- will return to coach the Americans in four years. Krzyzewski led Team USA to gold in 2008 in China, and he"
No Kyrie Irving, no chance for Cleveland Cavaliers in 112-91 loss to Chicago Bulls
March 3
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"How much of a challenge do the Chicago Bulls present to opponents? "You have to play, I wouldn't say perfect basketball against them, but pretty close because they are that good," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said. His shorthanded squad, missing ailing rookie guard Kyrie Irving and injured center Anderson Varejao, was not up to that challenge in a 112-91 loss to the Bulls on Friday night at The Q. Chicago has visited Cleveland twice this season and won both games by a combined 60 points, even though reigning MVP Derrick Rose missed the first game with a sore toe. That 114-75 loss on Jan. 20 was the Cavs' worst of the season, although Irving and Varejao both took part. "Both those guys make"
Kyrie Irving named Rookie of the Month again
March 2
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Kyrie Irving was named the Eastern Conference's Rookie of the Month today after averaging 19.3 points and 5.6 assists in 10 games during the month of February. Irving also won the award in January and appears to be halfway to the NBA's Rookie of the Year award. February was a big month for Irving. He was named the MVP of the Rising Stars game during All-Star weekend, scored at least 20 points in six of the 10 games and made 41 of 43 attempts at the free-throw line. Irving's 95.3 percent from the foul line was the best by a rookie in a month (minimum 40 attempts) since Chauncey Billups went 41 of 41 in March 1998."
Cavs' Irving latest test for Rose
March 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Derrick Rose hates missing any game but particularly against an opponent with a point guard who is generating buzz. Then again, that's almost every night now in the point guard-driven NBA. "It's a point guard era," Rose said. "It's fun. We go after each other." Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving is the next test, and Rose is anticipating it even more because he missed the teams' first meeting Jan. 20 in Cleveland with a sprained left big toe. The Bulls won handily that night."
Knicks' Lin gets job done vs. Irving
March 1
New York Post
 
"Jeremy Lin was not the hero last night. He was just a good solid, all-around, mistake-free point guard who ultimately got the better of rookie-of-the-year candidate Kyrie Irving. And that's all the Knicks will need from the undrafted Harvard point guard who has engineered their surreal 10-3 run. With Baron Davis providing terrific backup play, Lin got to play a more reasonable 33 minutes, scored 19 points with 13 assists and just one turnover. "I talked to him for a few seconds and told him he was just doing a great job,'' coach Mike D'Antoni said."
Irving making basketball matter again in Cleveland
February 27
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"As he stood in front of the slate gray backdrop, flashbulbs popping in front of him, Kyrie Irving lowered his crystal trophy a few inches Friday night and gave only one instruction to the photographer. "Make sure you get the Cleveland," Irving said, referring to the block "CAVALIERS" lettering across his home white jersey. With one dazzling performance Friday night, in front of the largest television audience ever to watch the Rising Stars game, Irving made Cleveland relevant again in the NBA. He scored 34 points, made all eight of his 3-point attempts and won the MVP award in the game of rookies and sophomores during the biggest weekend of the NBA's regular season."
Kyrie Irving putting fun weekend behind to renew Cleveland Cavaliers' playoff push
February 27
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"His All-Star commitments complete, Kyrie Irving spent Sunday as atypical teenager going to an amusement park, hopping roller coasters at Universal Studios. The wildest ride, however, awaits him. After three days of fun and exhibition basketball, Irving and his fellow Cavaliers rookie, Tristan Thompson, resume their pursuit of a playoff berth. The Cavaliers (13-18) host Boston on Tuesday and travel to New York the following night to face the Knicks. These are critical games as the opponents are immediately ahead of them in the standings. "We've had a good first half and probably surprised a lot of people," Irving said. "But we've got some important games right away after the break and we"
Kyrie Irving gets tastes of media circus at 2012 NBA All-Star Game
February 25
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The first question for Kyrie Irving came from a barrel-chested Danish television reporter who wondered how it's possible the Cavaliers guard and the Washington Wizards' John Wall could each wear No. 2 jerseys as teammates in the Rising Stars Challenge. A newcomer to the All-Star Weekend blitz, Irving explained why the dueling duds wouldn't be problematic. The rules-conscious Dane, however, persisted in his line of questioning. "You know," Irving said. "I don't think there are any fouls being called so it's not going to matter." Minutes later, the 19-year-old point guard was asked to give on-camera shoutouts to China and France, while an Iranian filmmaker quizzed him about a movie based on"
Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving wins MVP honors in Rising Stars Challenge
February 25
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Charles Barkley learned what Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant already knows -- you can't go wrong taking Kyrie Irving with your first pick in a draft. The Cavaliers point guard dazzled fans in the Amway Center with a spectacular 3-point shooting blitz in leading Team Chuck to a 146-133 win over Team Shaq in the Rising Stars Challenge as part of All-Star Weekend. Irving finished with 34 points on sizzling 12-of-13 shooting and made all eight of his 3-point attempts. He was voted by fans as the Most Valuable Player and received a hug from Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert after the game. Fellow Cavaliers rookie Tristan Thompson, playing for the squad selected by Shaquille O'Neal, also had an"
Magic Johnson says Kyrie Irving is NBA's top rookie
February 23
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving will win NBA Rookie of the Year honors. So says one of the league's greatest point guards and players. Former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Magic Johnson said Wednesday that Irving is among the new crop of playmakers, along with Ricky Rubio, who are creating a buzz for the league. "The rise of the young point guards has turned the game of basketball back to being an exciting game," Johnson said in a teleconference. "Kyrie Irving is the Rookie of the Year. "Kyrie is doing it all. He's so explosive. The difference is everyone game-plans for Kyrie. They don't game plan for some of the others.""
Gee, Kyrie! Cavaliers duo lead the charge from 17-point deficit to 101-100 thriller over Pistons
February 22
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Fourth quarters are supposed to belong to veteran players, men who have learned over time to harness their emotions as the possessions grow few and consequences for mistakes escalate. So what 19-year-old Kyrie Irving is doing in his rookie season almost defies logic and -- in the case of his no-look, over-the-shoulder pass to Alonzo Gee -- description. He is becoming one of the kings of late-night basketball and his band of Cavaliers teammates are only too happy to tag along."
Kyrie Irving will take part in skills competition during All-Star Weekend
February 21
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving is hoping for a better showing in the 2012 Taco Bell Skills Challenge than he had in the 2010 McDonald's All-American Game skills challenge. "I came in last place," he said. The Cavaliers point guard was the only rookie selected to take part in the NBA skills challenge on Saturday night in Orlando as part of All-Star Weekend. He joins defending champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets."
Kyrie Irving feels 'fresh' in returning to starting lineup
February 16
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"There are better ways to earn seven days off than recovering from a concussion. But Kyrie Irving will take the rest where he can get it. As much as he hated not playing the last three games, the Cavaliers rookie guard appreciated a little the time off. He was symptom-free by Friday and spent the next four days fulfilling the NBA-mandated return-to-play protocol, as part of the new concussion policy. "I kind of took it as a break for me, honestly," Irving said. "It couldn't have come at a better time. I'm going to be even busier next weekend with the All-Star [weekend]. It's good to get a break. ... I feel fresh.""
Welcome back, Kyrie: Irving's 22 points energizes Cleveland Cavaliers to 98-87 victory over Indiana
February 16
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving played his first game in eight days Wednesday at The Q after recovering from a concussion. Center Semih Erden hasn't suffered any knocks to the head recently, but his poor play has provided Cavaliers coach Byron Scott with a headache or two this season. By the end of Wednesday's surprising 98-87 victory over the reeling Indiana Pacers, however, Irving, Erden and Scott were all of clear mind and pleasant thoughts. Irving made a terrific return, scoring 22 points and contributing five assists, while showing no hesitation or fear of playing in traffic. It's the kind of performance fans have come to anticipate from their 19-year-old difference maker. As for Erden, they've come to"
Cleveland Cavaliers activate Kyrie Irving for tonight's game against Indiana
February 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving admits he has coaching aspirations, and over the past week, while sidelined with a concussion, he had an opportunity to observe games and practices with a different outlook. Of course, the 19-year-old also is eager to return to playing -- and he will get that chance Wednesday night at The Q. Irving received medical clearance this morning after working through the mandatory steps of the return-to-play protocol, part of the NBA's new concussion policy. Coach Byron Scott said the rookie point guard will start against the Indiana Pacers and play about 30 to 33 minutes. "It was a process I had to go through and it made me appreciate what I was doing at the beginning of the season"
Kyrie Irving participates in full practice, Byron Scott says he looks good for Wednesday return
February 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving rained uncontested shots Tuesday from various spots behind the 3-point arc, playfully punctuating the buckets with comments and sometimes just noises. It was about 10 minutes after practice had ended at Cleveland Clinic Courts and the rookie, who had missed the past three games with a concussion, craved more competition. He started driving to the hoop, backing down assistant coach Nate Tibbetts who put a forearm into Irving's lower back. Nothing but smiles from the kid. The 19-year-old participated in a full practice Tuesday and has a strong chance, barring a setback, of returning to the lineup Wednesday night against Indiana. Concussed a week ago, Irving has completed all the"
Cleveland Cavaliers hopeful Kyrie Irving could be available for Wednesday's game vs. Pacers
February 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving was shooting free throws when reporters walked into Cavaliers practice on Monday. Ordinarily, this would not be news, but with the rookie point guard recovering from a concussion suffered last Tuesday at Miami, this was a good sign. Irving took part in a non-contact practice on Monday that included running and shooting. He will be reevaluated, and the hope is that he will be cleared for a full-contact practice Tuesday. If he does not suffer any setbacks, he could return for Wednesday's game against Indiana. He has missed three games. Asked if he was optimistic about getting Irving back Wednesday, coach Byron Scott said, "I'm hoping I get him back Wednesday, but if not I'm also"
Kyrie Irving begins working out, could play Wednesday
February 13
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Kyrie Irving has begun the reinstatement process from a concussion he suffered last week, and there is a possibility he could play Wednesday when the Cavaliers host the Indiana Pacers. Cavs coach Byron Scott said Irving rode a stationary bike Saturday, which is the first step in a complex program the NBA implemented prior to this season. The next step will be for Irving to jog, do some agility work and complete noncontact drills. The final step is a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, a neurologist at the University of Michigan and the director of the NBA's new concussion program. Head injuries are tricky, but if there are no setbacks, Irving could be cleared to play against the Pacers."
Kyrie Irving's concussion a learning experience for Byron Scott, too
February 12
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Byron Scott played in the NBA during an era when elbows were sharper and hard fouls drew praise from teammates not calls from the league office. In the 1980s, players complaining of headaches the morning after games were often treated with several aspirin and little regard for their day-to-day status. "I was asked the other day if I ever had a concussion and I don't know," said Scott, who played from 1983-97. "I got hit back in the day so many times and had headaches and woke up and still went to practice. It wasn't a big deal then ..." Times and concern for player safety have changed. Scott's prized rookie, Kyrie Irving, has entered the NBA as it unfurled its first comprehensive"
Kyrie Irving to miss weekend games with concussion
February 11
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Cavs rookie Kyrie Irving will miss tonight's game against the Milwaukee Bucks and tomorrow's game against the Philadelphia 76ers because of the concussion he suffered earlier in the week. Coach Byron Scott said Irving will be re-evaluated after the weekend games before another decision is made on his availability. Irving was held out of Friday morning's shootaround and watched in street clothes. He was not made available to reporters. "We all know how serious this thing can be," Scott said. "That's why we are taking such a cautious look at this to make sure when he comes back, he's OK. We don't want to put a young man at risk and that's the biggest thing." The NBA has a new concussion"