Kyrie Irving won the FIBA World Cup MVP for Team USA, but other than that, the Cavaliers really don't have a whole lot going for them.
Oh wait. That was last summer.
Bad jokes aside, Irving did more than just win MVP of the tournament in Spain -- where the U-S-A easily won the G-O-L-D.
The Cavaliers point guard also proved he can play, and play very well, alongside other superstars. That's crucial, considering some of Irving's new Cleveland teammates go by the names of LeBron James and Kevin Love.
But let's think about the World Cup for a minute.
Team USA included stars such as James Harden (Rockets), Stephen Curry (Warriors), Anthony Davis (Pelicans) and Derrick Rose (Bulls). Other top-notch NBA talent, including Spain's Pau Gasol (Bulls) and Brazil's Nene Hilario (Wizards), also participated in the World Cup.
But it was Kyrie Irving, kids, who won MVP.
Irving didn't just win the biggest individual honor. He truly deserved it. He ran the point in a manner that new Cavs coach David Blatt had to love. Irving started by passing to the open man, driving and dishing and setting up his more-than-capable American teammates. He also finished near the basket, buried 3-pointers (including 6-of-6 shooting in the gold medal route of Serbia), and yes, looked better than ever defensively.
No one on Team USA, or in this entire tournament, showed the ability to break down defenders one-on-one like Irving. He was, in a word, unguardable. Yet he still shared the ball and played to win. He played unselfishly. He forced nothing. He still dominated.
For the Cavs and their fans, all of that means a lot.
Clearly, Kyrie proved something here. He's never been a selfish player (despite some suggestions to the contrary). He just sometimes felt the need to try to do almost everything himself during his first three NBA seasons -- and man, you can't blame the guy.
The Cavs mostly stunk and former coach Mike Brown never really figured out how to use him. In fact, last season may have been the most miserable in Irving's still-young basketball life. Creating shots was basically left up to the players,and on a young team such as the Cavs, that's never good. Even remarkable talents such as Irving need a real game plan on offense -- and let's be honest, that's never been Brown's strong suit.
Now, it seems Irving has been reborn in basketball. And not just because title-winning veterans such as James, Love and Shawn Marion have been added to the Cavs' roster. It's also because Irving is gaining an understanding of how to play alongside other superstars, how to win meaningful games while doing so.
Those are things he'll need in 2014-15. After all, the Cavs appear to possess more talent, and perhaps more depth, than anyone in the entire league.
They may now possess the best point guard, too -- or at the very least, a point guard who can do it all when it means the most.
Irving proved that during his Team USA run this summer, and just in case LeBron, Love and others aren't enough, it was the type of run that should give the Cavs reasons to feel especially excited.
Not that the Cavs really need anymore.
