If you missed yesterday’s MVP rankings on this site, you missed the preface in which I made the case that Kyrie Irving could lead the Cleveland Cavaliers into playoff contention.
It doesn’t look likely, but the kid is that good.
And the Eastern Conference picture changed dramatically later Sunday, after the rankings were published, when it was disclosed that Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics is done for the season with a torn ACL.
So keep the faith, Clevelanders. You never know.
The reason for my unbridled Cavs optimism is Irving, who along with Tony Parker of San Antonio on Monday were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 21 through Sunday, Jan. 27.
Irving led the league in scoring at 35.7 ppg, guiding the Cavaliers to a 3-0 week. He tallied at least 32 points in all three games, finishing the week with a .612 shooting percentage from the field (41-of-67 field goals) and a .950 shooting percentage from the foul line (19-of-20 free throws). Irving poured in 40 points on 16-of-24 shooting from the field in a 95-90 win over the Boston Celtics on Jan. 22.
Parker led the Spurs to a 4-0 week behind averages of 24.5 points (fourth in the conference) and 9.5 assists (third in the conference). He posted back-to-back point-assist double-doubles on Jan. 23 and 25, in wins over the New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks. Parker connected on 40-of-66 field goals (.606) on the week, good for eighth best in the West.
Here is a recap of the week for Irving and Parker: