The NBA draft is over and it’s time to start projecting the rookies and their potential fantasy impact for the 2011-12 season.
Analysis: We shouldn’t have high expectations for Kyrie Irving this year especially after John Wall spoiled so many of us with 16.4 PPG, 8.3 APG, 1.8 SPG and 4.6 RPG. Like with so many rookies Irving will be taken in re-draft leagues well before he should. The hype machine will tout Irving as nearly a twenty point per game player and he’s just not capable of that his rookie year especially with the complete lack of talent on the Cavs. We also have to consider Irving’s playing time. Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions are still on the roster and they both averaged around 13 PPG with 6 APG last year. What the Cavs do with these point guards remains to be seen, but Irving is splitting time with one of these guys this coming year. We can expect nearly thirty minutes of playing time from Irving this year but his durability over an eighty-two game season is in question.
Projection: Kyrie Irving isn’t going to light the league on fire or become the NBA’s next elite point guard like the hype machine would have you believe. His 2011-12 season should be 15 PPG, 5-6 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG and about one three pointer made per game. Think Mike Conley type numbers not Steph Curry.