LeBron James was asked how prepared he thought Kyrie Irving was upon his return back to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 as a former first overall pick and franchise player.

"I don't think anyone was prepared for me returning and understanding what the situation was going to entail," said James. "I mean, that's everyone here. You know, they had gone through some losing seasons in my previous stint before I came back, so they knew they were getting a pretty good basketball player and a great leader and a good person, and someone that was going to command excellence. But I don't know if they understood the day-to-day process of being in this situation was going to entail.

"So it's been a learning experience for everyone that's been a part of it to this point, and including myself. I've actually learned some things as well about the guys and about how to be patient with younger guys and things of that nature.

"But if I could look at the first day I returned to now, our floor general, Kyrie, has become such a great leader. Every single day he's learning, every day. And last night was a prime example of that, him going out and playing the way he did, commanding the way he did, getting guys involved the way he did. You know, that's just a true testament of someone who has a growth mindset and being able to grow every single day under these circumstances."