NBA All-Star Game 2012: Kyrie Irving Will Burst into Superstar Status

Kyrie Irving is about to remind everyone that the Cleveland Cavaliers didn't stop playing basketball when LeBron James left. 

Irving is quietly putting together a spectacular rookie season for a Cleveland team that no one cares about. More fans are going to care now.

Irving destroyed the competition in the Rising Stars Challenge. He led Team Chuck to a 146-133 victory over Team Shaq.

Obviously, just look at the score, this game was not a highlight for defensive dominance. Even given the lack of emphasis on stopping people, though, Irving's performance was eye-catching.

He finished with 34 points and nine assists. And it wasn't just the points, but the way he got them. He was 12-of-13 from the field and didn't miss one of his eight three-pointers.

All of this led to Irving being named the game's MVP. For fans who haven't caught a Cavs game this year, they will be blown away by those numbers. For the few that have, they won't be the least bit surprised.  

The No. 1 overall selection is last year's NBA draft is turning in a spectacular rookie year. He is averaging 18.1 points and 5.1 assists per game. 

He is shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, and 41.5 from three-point range. These are excellent numbers for any perimeter player, and simply outstanding for a rookie point guard. 

Just to put that in perspective, LeBron averaged 20.9 points and 5.9 assists per game as a rookie, and he shot 41.7 percent from the floor and 29 percent from three. 

Last year, in his rookie season, John Wall averaged 16.4 points and 8.3 assists per game, and he only shot 40.9 percent from the field and 29.6 from three.

Just on numbers alone, it is clear that Irving is a special talent.  

Irving's success as rookie cannot be underestimated. He is on quick path to becoming one of the league's elite point guards.