Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving Are Worth Getting Excited About

Last week I wrote about the idea of Cavaliers fans actually rooting for the team to lose in hopes of getting a higher draft pick next season. 

We all know that the team as currently constituted is not going to contend for a championship.  But the addition of another top five pick would certainly set the team up nicely for future growth.

I came to the conclusion that I could never actually root for the Cavs to lose.  However, I wouldn't be so upset if they lost and also not as excited when they win.  It's a crooked system we're working with, but it is what it is.

Well, after writing that and getting a lot of good feedback, and then seeing the Cavs beat the Celtics Sunday night on another strong effort from Kyrie Irving, I have a new feeling about this team.

Screw it, I'm excited about the 2012 Cleveland Cavaliers!

Maybe it's not as good as the LeBron James era.  I wasn't really around for the Miracle of Richfield, so I can't make comparisons to that either.  Maybe they're just a mediocre team.

But, dang it, I just enjoy watching them play basketball.

And Irving in particular.  He's going to be great.  His last two fourth quarters were quite a display.

The poise he shows while down on the scoreboard is becoming of a seasoned veteran, not a rookie.  Let alone a guy who's only played 30 games in the past two years.

There are a lot of young players who shrink under the pressure of being down 10 points in the Garden in Boston.  Most rookie point guards would try to defer to a veteran.

But Irving wants the ball.  He wants to be the guy.  I love that.

And the chemistry he's already developed with Anderson Varejao is something to really enjoy if you're a Cavs fan.

Varejao in his own right is playing like an All-Star.  He might not get in because of bigger name guys, but he certainly deserves it.

He's among the league leaders for centers in all major categories, including leading the NBA in offensive rebounding.

But numbers don't do Varejao justice.  The energy he plays with is infectious.  His hustle plays don't show up on the stat sheet, but they bring a lift to the rest of the team.

And maybe most important of all, my wife loves Varejao.  And if there's anything that can get my wife excited about watching sports, then that's certainly worth noting.

Look, I know that the Cavs are only about a week removed from back-to-back blowouts and a five-game losing streak. 

I know this team isn't going to go far in the playoffs if they even get there.

But after how terrible last year was, I can't help but get excited about what the future might hold for this team with Irving as the corner stone.

And I haven't even brought up how great Alonzo Gee has been playing on both ends of the court.

He's another guy whose energy does wonders for this team playing off the bench.  And can we get this guy in the Slam Dunk Contest?

And how about Mychel Thompson? 

After only playing two total minutes in his NBA career, he comes off the bench cold and plays the whole fourth quarter, knocking down two jumpers and, more importantly, playing fantastic defense on Ray Allen down the stretch.

I didn't think I'd ever say it a month ago, but I want to see more of Thompson!

I'm excited to watch the rest of this Cavs season.  It's gonna be fun.  And there's light on the horizon for Cleveland.

Believeland.

You can follow Benjamin Flack on Twitter @ClevelandFlack.