NBA Update: LeBron James happy for the Cleveland Cavaliers after their draft success
After enduring a season that saw them transforming from the best team last regular season to the second-worst this time, the Cleveland Cavaliers finally found a glimmer of hope, when they won the number one pick on Tuesday night.
The last time, Cavaliers drafted with the number 1 overall pick was way back in 2003, when LeBron James announced his arrival in the NBA. The acquaintance lasted for seven years and the small forward took the Cavaliers to unprecedented heights. But, then came ‘the decision’ and all of a sudden LeBron James became the enemy number one for the Cavaliers. After seven years of fruitless efforts, the best player in the league took a messy divorce from his alma-mater and took his talents to the South Beach in search of a championship.
Since then, James has experienced the wrath of the fans everywhere he went. James however has maintained that his exit was always meant for a championship hunt and that he holds his Cleveland fans dear. So, when the Cavs won the lottery pick he was among the first to congratulate them,
"I’m happy for the franchise, I’m happy for the fans," he said. "I think it is a good step for them."
Duke freshman guard Kyrie Irving is expected as the top prospect in the league who is represented by Jeffery Wechsler, a Miami-based agent and season-ticket holder. James who has known Irving for quite some time also tipped Irving to fill the number one slot.
"If it’s Kyrie, I don’t think you automatically place the franchise tag on him. But I think he’s good enough where, if he continues to work hard, he could be that guy for that team. It’s a tough situation for anyone to be given the franchise tag as soon as they come out of college or high school, but I think he’s one of the kids who is up for the challenge." LeBron said on Wednesday morning during a shoot around at the United Centre.
Kyrie has played only 11 college games this season due to a turf toe injury, but he is considered to be the best available player in this years’ draft. The freshman averaged 17.5 points and 4.3 assists in those games while playing under the phenomenal coach Mike Krzyzewski known as coach K. James said that the experience Irving gained from being around with the coach K and the veteran players in the campus will help him a lot.
Apart from the number one pick in the NBA draft 2011 that will be held on 23rd June, Cleveland will also have a 4th pick, which they secured from the Los Angeles Clippers following a trade that brought Baron Davis into the team.
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