Rising Stars Challenge 2012 Highlights: Kyrie Irving Dominates the Competition

Cleveland Cavaliers stud rookie Kyrie Irving didn't just play well at the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge in Orlando, he lit up every player on the basketball court in dominating fashion.

In what was easily the best game played by any rookie since the event was brought into All-Star Weekend, Irving was all over the stat sheet in this ball game.

Irving would finish the contest with 34 points, shooting an impressive 12-of-13 from the field and 8-of-8 from three-point range.

He also added nine assists, two steals and just three turnovers in the mere 27 minutes he was on the court.

What made the performance all the more impressive was Irving's ability to make some of the league's better young stars seem as if they didn't have half the talent that Irving did.

Stars like Washington Wizards PG John Wall scored just 17 points and had turnovers. Detroit Pistons PG Brandon Knight, who many argued was the better PG in the rookie class, would score just 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting.

This outing was a special one for Irving, as he takes home an MVP award and a considerable amount of respect league-wide.

Yet for those following the Cleveland Cavaliers, this type of a performance from Irving comes as little-to-no surprise. This season, Irving is averaging 18.1 points, 5.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He has been able to score effectively as well, shooting 47.6 percent on the year.

Just one year into the league and already Irving is making himself known with the fans at the NBA's All-Star weekend.

The performance in the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge might have been an event to some, but, for Irving, this was a game that helped those fans of the game recognize just how talented a PG Irving is.