LeBron James: A Healthy Kyrie Irving Could Win MVP

Kyrie Irving submitted his best game of the season Monday night, dropping in 25 points and handing out eight assists in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 122-100 win against the visiting Toronto Raptors.

Afterwards, LeBron James gushed about his All-Star teammate, claiming that if he stayed healthy Kyrie could win the League’s top individual award.

James says he doesn’t want to put too much pressure on the 23-year-old, however.

Per the Akron Beacon Journal:

“If he continues to play the way he’s been playing, but also continues to progress in his game over the years, he can do something that’s very special around this league,” James said. “I’m not going to put too much pressure on him, but I know in my head what he can become in this league and tonight he showed it.”

 

James added later that Irving is “more than an All-Star.” There isn’t much more than an All-Star, except perhaps… […] “There would never be a question if Kyrie Irving is the MVP as long as he’s on the floor and he’s healthy,” James said.

 

He stepped into a 30-foot 3-pointer earlier in the game, then saved his spin move around two defenders/Euro-step to the basket for the game’s final minutes. He shot 10 of 16, grabbed six rebounds and only committed one turnover in 29 minutes. The minutes are increasing, the production is increasing and the rust is decreasing. […] “Kyrie did amazing things,” Raptors forward Patrick Patterson said.