2011 NBA Draft Results: Winner -- Kyrie Irving

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Before Thursday, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski had produced 33 NBA players. Of course, haters would add that only four of those chaps (Grant Hill, Christian Laettner, Carlos Boozer and Elton Brand) ever became NBA all-stars. Naysayer or not, that figure does strike as being a tad odd. Maybe injuries to Jay Williams and Bobby Hurley kept them from doing more. Maybe Chris Duhon will turn the corner. Maybe, maybe not. All that’s for sure is that three more will give it a shot.

Understandably, with Mr. Irving, there’s extensive pressure to perform at a high level. The Cleveland Cavaliers averaged 95.4 points (25th in the NBA) and 20.9assists per game (20th) over the 2010-11 campaign. Irving will add to those numbers immediately.

But to become this Chris Paul-like figure many presume he’ll be, Irving will have to hold his own in the paint…and that’s where questions of his fragility will come into play. (Remember: the former Devil missed much of last year with a right toe injury.)

However, from watching the young man play and hearing him speak with the media, you have to be confident he’ll work hard and become the player the city of Cleveland so desperately needs. (Prediction: Three career all-star appearances)

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things related to the NBA Draft.

--DeMarco Williams

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