Emotional Irving accepts ROY award

By Jason Lloyd

Akron Beacon Journal

INDEPENDENCE

Kyrie Irving had three months to write his acceptance speech. Just like his performance on the court, he nailed it.

Irving accepted his Rookie of the Year award Tuesday with a speech that had comedy bits and was full of emotion. He thanked the Cavaliers’ fans and organization, poked fun at coach Byron Scott, thanked his father, Dred, for raising him and paid tribute to his mother, Elizabeth, who died when he was a child.

“I know she’s looking down on me and I wish she was here to accept this award with me,” Irving said. “She’s not sitting in that seat, but I know she’s right here in my heart and throughout the season, I know she was with me. She’s going to continue to bless me. I pray to her every single day.”

Irving’s performance on the court removed all suspense — he had the award locked up by the All-Star break. The only question was whether or not he would become the fourth unanimous choice, but he received only 117 of a possible 120 first-place votes. The Denver Nuggets’ Kenneth Faried, the San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard and the New York Knicks’ Iman Shumpert each received one.

Irving joins LeBron James as the only Cavaliers players to ever win the award. He led all rookies (and the Cavaliers) by averaging 18.5 points per game.