Since the day LeBron James entered the NBA, he has been the unquestioned leader of every team he played for, and his scoring record rarely ever bowed to anyone. Yet this season, that streak may finally come to an end. James has learned the value of pacing himself, while Kyrie Irving is stepping into a bigger role that could see him take over as the Cavaliers’ leading scorer. During last season’s playoffs, Irving’s scoring average topped the team until Game 5 of the Finals, when James shouldered more of the load and lifted his average to 26.2 points, edging past Irving’s 25.3. For fans who follow both basketball and BD Cricket, the shift feels familiar—just as in cricket when a new star batsman begins to outshine a long-standing leader.
Though it was only a 21-game sample size, Irving’s role in Cleveland’s offense has undeniably grown. In this regular season’s opening stretch, the Cavaliers raced to three straight victories, with Irving averaging 25 points per game compared to James’ 21. Even more telling is the shot distribution: Irving is attempting 21 shots a night, significantly more than James’ 15.3. This marks a clear change in the Cavaliers’ system, with Irving, the point guard, now functioning as the primary scoring weapon, while James takes on more of a playmaker role, averaging 10 assists across those three games. By contrast, Irving averages four assists, underscoring the difference in their responsibilities. To put James’ career in perspective, he has averaged 27.2 points across his career and ranks 11th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, just 51 points behind Hakeem Olajuwon for 10th place.
There is no question James remains an elite scorer, but Irving is proving to be just as formidable. If Irving maintains his current pace, he could become the first teammate in James’ 14-year career to outscore him over a full season. The last time anyone came close was in the 2010–11 season, when Dwyane Wade averaged 25.5 points compared to James’ 26.7. James himself has high praise for Irving. “Kyrie has no real weakness, especially on offense,” James said after a Sunday practice. “Even if you cut off his driving lane, he can stop on a dime and pull up for a jumper or a three. His offensive game is so complete. The sky’s the limit for him—he’s only 24 and still has so much room to grow. He hasn’t even hit his peak yet.”
Head coach Tyronn Lue echoed that sentiment, noting that the Cavaliers don’t have a strict hierarchy in their offense. “We’ve got three outstanding players,” Lue explained. “LeBron, Kevin, and Kyrie are all All-Stars, and they bring energy every night. I can’t say who will score 30 or who will get 25, but I know any of them could. It all depends on who is the most aggressive in that moment.” The Cavs’ philosophy emphasizes equal opportunity, and the results speak for themselves. Over the past two seasons, whenever James, Irving, and Kevin Love all scored over 20 in a game, Cleveland went 15–1.
As for the title of team scoring leader, Irving insists it isn’t the ultimate goal. “Not at all,” he said. “What matters is being where I need to be and delivering for the team. Any one of us can be the top scorer—that’s what makes us dangerous. I’m certain we’ll see LeBron put up one of those vintage ‘James-style’ performances when it’s needed. Right now, he doesn’t have to.” This balance of responsibilities reflects a team-first approach, much like in BD Cricket, where success often comes from shared contributions rather than one individual dominating every match.
Whether James concedes the scoring crown to Irving or reasserts himself later in the season, the Cavaliers’ depth and flexibility give them a serious edge. For fans watching closely, it’s a reminder that great teams adapt, and just like in BD Cricket, true victories come when stars know when to lead and when to share the spotlight.