James rates Kevin Love as one of the best power forwards in the league too…
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Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James believes that team-mate Kyrie Irving can go on to establish himself as the best point guard in the NBA in the coming years.
Irving was named MVP of the FIBA World Cup in Spain this summer after helping lead Team USA to the gold medal, and he will now have an all-star cast around him in the coming NBA season.
With James re-signing with the Cavs after four years away with the Miami Heat, Cleveland also welcomed Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer after he completed a trade deal involving No.1 Draft pick Andrew Wiggins.
In addition, the Cavs have signed Mike Miller and James Jones to add depth, experience and three-point shooting, while veteran Ray Allen is also understood to still be on their radar despite expecting significant competition to sign him.
Nevertheless, James has predicted big things for Irving and believes that he will become the best in his position in the league as he continues to mature and develop his game.
“I believe Kyrie can be the best point guard in the league very soon, and Kevin Love is already in the discussion as far as being the best power forward in the league,” James said, Sports Illustrated reports.
“We have so many great [power forwards]: Tim Duncan, if he’s playing center or power forward, Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol is still very good. But that’s my vision, to maximize [Love’s] potential, and his potential to be the best at his position.”
Despite the kind words from James, Irving will arguably have to adapt his game to being the third scoring option with both the two-time NBA champion and Love on the floor.
While he’s a great shooter off the dribble, he will have to improve in other facets of his game in order to adjust to the changes to the roster and so it remains to be seen whether or not he can adapt and become a fundamental part of Cleveland’s push for an NBA champions this year.
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