Will Kyrie Irving be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft?

Kyrie Irving went to the NBA draft lottery tonight not because he expects to be the No. 1 selection in the June 23 draft, he said, but - if you believe - simply because the thing was practically be kept in his backyard.

"I live 20 minutes away," said the native of West Orange NBAE studio in Secaucus. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

But, of course, Irving, St. Patrick of Elizabeth Duke grad and product could very well be the first choice. The Cleveland Cavaliers own selection, having won the lottery on Tuesday. With how the Cavaliers had their heart ripped last summer when LeBron James has left as a free agent last summer to sign with Miami, someone asked if he thought that Irving is the No. 1 choice Cleveland would cause people to compare him to LeBron. Irving did not buy it.

"No, not at all," said Irving. "I do not think you can really make comparisons with me and LeBron, because 1) I'm not 6-8, and 2) I am not a high flyer. and 3) my name is not LeBron James. I do not think you can make those comparisons yet -. I think I bring a different feel to the Cleveland organization if they decide to pick me up there "