Irving almost stayed at Duke

CHICAGO -- Point guard Kyrie Irving says he was a lot closer to returning to Duke for next season than it may have appeared.

Irving revealed Thursday that had he not played in the NCAA tournament, after missing most of Duke's regular season, he wouldn't have even considered turning pro.

Even then, after playing three tournament games and showing his right foot was healthy, it was an emotionally exhausting choice to give up his college eligibility.

"I wouldn't have come out had I only played those eight games," in November and December, Irving said. "I came back to play in the NCAA tournament because, one, I was ready and, two, to stop all the questions about whether I was healthy or not and whether this would have a lingering effect on my career."

Irving is the presumed No. 1 pick in the June 23 draft. That would mean he'd understudy for Cavaliers point guard Baron Davis, before filling the star gap LeBron James left behind in Cleveland.

There's an irony in that succession - James has long mentored Irving, much the way he did with Stephen Curry, when Curry played for Davidson.

"He's definitely played a big-brother role," said Irving, who attended James' skills camp two years ago. "When I got hurt, he was calling me every week, telling me to keep the faith.

"To have someone like that, who's been through it all, telling me what to do and what not to do, is so helpful."

Irving has leaned on James and New Orleans point guard Chris Paul to show him the way. He said their guidance is less about basketball specifics than about how to conduct himself in this high-profile world.

Playing for Duke is a big deal - as Irving said, you feel every eye is on you - but being the No. 1 overall pick is that times three. Irving said he finally had to return home to New Jersey to make his decision, because he felt so much pressure not to let down classmates on Duke's campus.

His manner Thursday was ultra-polite, if a bit guarded. During a half-hour media availability, he called every reporter "sir," even when one of them was a she. When asked why he was skipping the drills at this week's NBA Combine, only participating in the medical exam, Irving calmly, but firmly, said he was following his agent's advice.

That led to some speculation he's still suffering from the severe turf-toe injury that damaged ligaments and cost him most of three months last winter.

Not so, he declared.

"I'm 114 percent," he repeatedly said, "and trying to get to 150 percent."

There's an old-school vibe about Irving that goes beyond his "yes, sir" manners. When someone started asking a Twitter-related question Thursday, Irving quickly interjected, "I don't feel any need to have Twitter right now," sounding wary of that unfiltered medium in a celebrity-crazed culture.

That contrasted with the braggadocio of Arizona's Derrick Williams Thursday. Williams sounded like he resents the perception he's behind Irving in this draft. Arizona did eliminate Duke in the NCAA tournament, which eventually ended Irving's college career.

Williams said he was absolutely college basketball's best player last season, so why shouldn't he be this draft's best prospect?

That assessment disregards that point guard has become the crucial position in pro basketball. And that Irving - health willing - is easily the best point guard in this draft.