MIAMI — Don't call Kyrie Irving another LeBron James just because he's also a No. 1 pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers. But if you want to call him another Chris Paul, that might be OK.
In fact, James said he sees plenty of similarities between the Cavaliers rookie point guard and Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers' star point.
"He reminds me of CP early in his days, as well," said James, the Miami Heat forward who will go against Irving on Tuesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena for the first time in his NBA career. "They definitely remind me of each other. Just how in control, and how they think the game. They show that you're not in like a rookie mindset. You're trying to put guys in a position to succeed. I've been looking forward to going against him. . . . He's definitely beyond his years as a rookie point guard."
James won't be guarding Irving, but they will be the focal points for their teams. James leads the Heat with a 29.7 points and 7.3 assists per game. Irving tops the Cavaliers with 17.4 points and 4.9 assists.
But when it comes to talk about Irving filling a void in Cleveland from after James departed in the summer of 2010, Irving and James both shy away from that. James was asked if he sees any pressure on Irving, who is friendly with James and also has Leon Rose as an agent, in that role after being taken No. 1 overall in June's draft.
"He has no pressure," said James, who called facing his former team "just another game" as the Heat prepare to play a fifth straight game without guard Dwyane Wade, who has a sprained right ankle. "I think they're kind of like in a rebuilding stage right now as far as their team. I don't think he has any pressure."
There might be some pressure on Irving of another kind later this year. Irving, who was born in Australia, must make a decision on whether he wants to play for the Australian Olympic team in London or hold out for a possible Team USA bid in the future. The catch is if Irving joins Australia this year, he might not ever be able to play for the US in an Olympics.
James said he doesn't know enough about the situation to offer Irving any advice. But Irving, who played at Duke under Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski, said he will seek out Krzyzewski for advice.
"Most likely, I'll talk to him in the next month or so," Irving said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida. "Right now, it's preliminary talks (with Australia). I'm keeping my options open."
Because Irving played for Team USA in the 2010 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, he would need to get a waiver from FIBA, basketball's international governing body, to be eligible for Australia.
"It's a bit complicated, if I do decide to do it," said Irving, who said he isn't leaning any particular way now.
While Irving isn't under consideration for Team USA for the 2012 Olympics in London, he would be a strong candidate for the 2014 World Championships and 2016 Olympics. But USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said he doesn't plan to try to persuade Irving to stick with the US.
"He's a terrific young prospect," Colangelo said by phone. "He has to do what's in his best interests. He certainly would be in our mix going forward (if Irving waits for Team USA consideration). I would never try to sway him if he wanted to play (for Australia) and he thought it was in his best interests."
Told what Colangelo said, Irving said he's going to remain patient in the process.
"Oh, absolutely, I want to be in the mix with any team," Irving said. "But right now I'm not going to limit myself to just one team."
However, Cavaliers television broadcaster Austin Carr, a former star guard for the team, would like to see Irving limit himself to the US squad. Informed Irving likely wouldn't be able to eventually play in the Olympics for the US if he joins Australia this year, Carr believes it should be an easy decision.
"I think he should stay here," Carr said. "If you're going to be an NBA player, you should play in the United States. That's the way I see it."
Carr, taken in the 1971 NBA draft, is one of three Cavaliers No. 1 overall picks prepared to be in the building for Tuesday night's game. The only one in their history not planning on a visit is Brad Daugherty, taken first in 1986.
James went No. 1 in 2003 and was named Rookie of the Year. Irving is the favorite to hoist the same trophy next spring.
"He's not a rookie," James said. "Really, his rookie game is not a rookie type of game. He's always in control. He plays at his own tempo and he's like a veteran out there, and it's been great to see what he's been able to do in his first year. He doesn't carry himself, he doesn't play like a rookie plays."
That sounds like it was when James averaged 20.9 points for a 2003-04 Cavaliers outfit that also was rebuilding. But don't go there with James.
As for comparisons to Paul, those are OK. And Paul, it should be noted, also was Rookie of the Year, winning with New Orleans in 2005-06.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at christomasson@hotmail.com or on Twitter @christomasson
