Cavs rookie Irving exceeding expectations

Kyrie Irving is the latest proof that a player can prosper in the NBA with limited college experience. The Cleveland Cavaliers point guard has done the seemingly impossible this season - exceed expectations despite being the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft.

Entering Tuesday's game at the Wells Fargo Center against the 76ers, Irving was averaging 18.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game.

Because of injury, Irving played just 11 games last season, his only one at Duke. So some skeptics believed that even though Irving was the No. 1 pick, it was a weak draft class and he would need a major adjustment period.

Irving, 20, said he was constantly being told how much of a surprise he's been this season. The rookie has used the underwhelming expectations as motivation.

"Being the No 1 overall pick still wasn't good enough in people's minds and wasn't good enough in my mind, and I came in with that attitude this season," Irving said before Tuesday's game.

Even the Cavaliers have been pleasantly surprised by his development.

"We all felt we were getting the best player in the draft after we worked him out, but I don't think anybody could foresee he could be this good, this early," Cavs coach Byron Scott said. "He is a little bit better than we thought he would be."

One person not surprised by Irving's immediate NBA success is Sixers coach Doug Collins, whose son Chris is a Duke assistant who recruited Irving.

"Cleveland got a special young guy," Collins said after Tuesday morning's shootaround. "He is a guy, anytime he is on the floor he gives them a chance to win."

Irving has strong connections with two top college freshmen, one who has already declared his intentions to enter the NBA draft and another who is still mulling the decision.

The undecided player is Kentucky's 6-foot-7 forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the Somerdale resident who was a high school teammate of Irving's at St. Patrick in Elizabeth, N.J.

"He's like a little brother to me," Irving said.

Irving said he hasn't talked with Kidd-Gilchrist about applying for the NBA draft, but he has no doubt that big things are in store whenever he decides to make the leap.

"He has been unbelievable," Irving said of Gilchrist. "I know he can play this game, and if he comes out he will definitely be a top-five pick."

On Monday, Duke freshman point guard Austin Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, said he would be entering the NBA draft.

"Me and Austin have developed a great relationship the last few years at the same camps and with him at Duke," Irving said. "I am 100 percent for him coming out."

Irving says it's an individual decision for a player to come out, and his only advice is basic and to the point.

"Be ready to work," Irving said. "This is a process you sometimes take for granted, and it's a special opportunity and you have to thrive in the situation."