Nothin' But Nets
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NBA Preseason: Ranking the Top 10 players in 2016-2017

By Tyler Dencker

Mar 29, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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  1. Kyrie Irving, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the the game winning shot during the fourth quarter against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the the game winning shot during the fourth quarter against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

After dominating the Playoffs and hitting the championship-clinching shot, Irving has established himself as one of the best players in the league.

Irving has been a star since he came into the league four years ago, but he took his game to the next level in this years Playoffs and Finals.

In the Finals, Irving averaged an impressive 27.1 points per game, 3.9 assists per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. His efforts brought Cleveland back from a 3-1 Finals deficit and gave them their first sports championship in over 50 years. Irving’s go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute of Game 7 will arguably go down as one of the clutchest shots in NBA history.

The scary part about Irving is that he’s done all this at the age of 23. He’s already in the conversation with an elite group of point guards/players, and he’s still improving. Give Irving a couple years and he could be much higher on this list.

Next: Number Seven