NBA Draft 2011: Why Kyrie Irving Can't Save the Cleveland Cavaliers

Kyrie Irving cannot cure what ails the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The sting that the Cavaliers still feel after watching LeBron James pick Miami on national TV will not go away with one inexperienced guard from Duke. As talented as he may be (and there some questions as to the extent of his talents) what exists in the city of Cleveland is a problem with culture and forgiveness.

Kyrie Irving is only a small piece to puzzle.

It hurts to have your heart broken. Anyone who has ever gone through their teen years knows exactly what it’s like to feel like you gave your heart to someone, only to have them mishandle it and leave you to pick up the pieces.

That was Cleveland with LeBron James 12 months ago, like it or not.

It doesn’t matter that LeBron’s gone. It doesn’t matter if he should have left or not. It’s not about loyalty or trust. None of those things matter because placing blame, while it makes the Cavs feel better in the moment, doesn’t dig them out of the hole that they put themselves in.

The Cavs, and I could be wrong about this, always appeared to be the team that was afraid of losing LeBron. They were so singularly committed to keeping him happy that they just threw players and money at him afraid he was going to leave.

It was as if LeBron was the girl out of their league so the Cavs, in order to keep her around, dazzled her with everything they could find, and in the end, they went broke.

Still, the basketball gods were kind to them as they pulled a savvy move to get two picks in the lottery (the No. 1 coming from the Clippers in the Baron Davis trade).

Dan Gilbert appeared ecstatic on the night of the lottery. Perhaps he understood just how valuable two top-five picks are in any draft, or perhaps he understood just what it meant to him and the city of Cleveland.

Cleveland isn’t suffering from bad basketball. The play is bad, don’t get me wrong, but Cleveland is suffering from heartache and rejection. They have been operating out of fear.

First the fear that King James would leave if he didn’t get his ring.

Now it’s the fear that he’ll get one well before the Cavaliers escape from basketball hell. It’s a feeling that can’t be heeled by winning. It’s only something that can be healed with acceptance.

See, if Cleveland thinks that this draft is their ticket to beating LeBron to the punch, they don’t know much about the 2011 NBA draft class.

Kyrie Irving is likely to be their first pick. It’s not because Irving, amongst all other candidates shows the type of flash and athleticism to become a franchise player. It’s not because Irving possesses rare intangibles that sets him apart from others.

When Michael Jordan entered the NBA draft Bobby Knight was certain of his talent. He knew he had a hunger and a passion for the game that isn’t held by most.

Irving may have that passion, but if so, it’s not outwardly present.

There have been some reservations about him as a top pick. The first is that though he shined when he was on the court, he had a small sampling size. How much can you say about the readiness of a player who didn’t make it through half a season of games?

You say that in a watered down draft you get Irving because he’s the surest thing and then hope for him to rise above the middling expectations for him.  For many Irving is a top-12 guard at the best. Not a bad place in a league full of extraordinary guards but not exactly a difference maker.

Then there is the fourth pick. This pick holds only intrigue. The Cavs are hoping that by the grace of God Derrick Williams falls to four, but that’s unlikely to happen.

Both the Timberwolves and the Jazz understand just how good Derrick Williams is and they are unlikely to let him slip to the Cavs. Even the Timberwolves, who are attempting to make a last minute deal for the No. 2 pick, would likely give that pick to a team who has the intention of taking Williams or Irving (if the Cavs pass on him).

The bottom line is the idea that they will play together is slim and none.

That leaves a host of options for the Cavs, most notably Enes Kanter. The truth is that the Cavs must not get their hopes up from their perceived windfall. What has hurt the Cavs for years was the idea of having to WIN NOW.

It’s an idea that many people in sports are saddled with but the term is overused. The Cavs don’t have to win now because Cleveland is not in competition with Miami, no matter how talented their draftees turn out to be.

Cleveland spent the last seven years making questionable front office moves because they were desperate to win and please King James. Now, even if Kyrie Irving, and whomever else they net in the draft, turn out to exceed expectations, Cleveland cannot worry about winning now. They cannot make big, short-sighted moves in order to appease budding greatness.

Kyrie Irving is not some magic elixir for the problems the Cavaliers have had in the last year, because this year has been nothing more than the full realization of the last seven years of bad management.

Even if the Cavaliers pass on Irving and take someone else, anyone else, it won't make a difference. Patience, forward thinking and prudence will build a winner. That will chase away the demons.  

Kyrie Irving would be just a small part of the equation.