Kyrie Irving's Dream Takes Forefront in Decision to Enter the NBA Draft

Most people saw this coming, but others, myself included, felt like there was going to be something pulling at Kyrie Irving to return to Duke for at least another year and play for a NCAA men’s basketball championship.

Therefore, it comes as not much of a surprise that he has declared for the NBA Draft so early. He is speculated to go No. 1 overall in this year’s class and I am sure that was something too sweet of a notion to pass up for such a young and talented athlete.

Irving barely had any playing time this season but his skills as a player had no effect on that. He injured his toe in December and was taken out until the Duke Blue Devils came upon the NCAA Tournament. After reports that his return was doubtful, he stepped onto court alongside senior Nolan Smith to compete once again.

The trouble adjusting was apparent as both players failed to gel properly early on, but great players find ways to get the most out of any situation. They adapted quickly to Irving’s presence and it seemed like the Blue Devils were headed to another Final Four.

Derrick Williams and the Arizona Wildcats crushed those dreams in a Sweet 16 matchup that

upset most brackets. Arizona arrived on the scene on the back of Williams, and the way they were able to shut down Duke was incredible to watch.

Later on when asked if he was entering the draft, as reported by Fox Sports, Irving stated that he could definitely see himself wearing a Duke uniform again and that he did not want to take it off.

His actions are probably why so many scouts are questioning whether or not Jared Sullinger’s decision to return to Ohio State University was just a statement made in the heat of the moment.

Irving will most likely have an immediate effect on the team that drafts him. The No. 1 pick will probably be headed to Cleveland, where a point guard is badly needed. The NBA Draft is based on potential and not necessarily performance, which indicates why Irving will be drafted so high.

In the games he was able to play early on when Duke was undefeated, he showed veteran ball-handling skills and the court vision needed to compete at the next level successfully. He admitted that his ultimate dream to be in the NBA led his heart in the direction he is headed in now.

Even an NBA lockout could not stand in the way of his golden opportunity. A lockout has been lurking for quite some time now and analysts are wondering if the current bargaining situation will affect top prospects’ desire to make that leap of faith.

If Irving was to return to Duke, he would have been playing alongside the No. 1 ranked recruit in the ESPNU 100 class, Austin Rivers. The backcourt that Duke would have had with those two would have been monstrous and the Blue Devils would have rarely been defeated. Irving would have been the clear leader of the team with Smith graduating, but this life does not provide much time to look back on what could have happened.

Going forward, I am pretty excited to see Irving play in the pros. He has the capability of playing like a Derrick Rose and a Chris Paul as long as his work ethic is not an issue. There are not nearly as many questions surrounding him compared to when some of the league's finest were making the transition. Irving's ceiling has reached astronomical heights.

Most No. 1 prospects have the potential to be a bust in the NBA, but I believe this young man is someone whom no one will place that label on. He can do nothing but succeed.