Irving, confident Cavaliers eye the NBA postseason as regular season nears

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Kyrie Irving was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2012, then played in his first All-Star game last season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers point guard has set an even loftier goal for his third campaign.

"I want to be the best player in this league," Irving said. "In order to do that, I know we have to win a lot of games. But I'm the leader of this team, and I'm ready to take responsibility for it by helping us make the playoffs. This is the best I've ever felt coming into a season."

Optimism ruled Monday as the Cavaliers held media day at their suburban training facility. There were smiles, laughs and even predictions of the postseason, which Cleveland hasn't participated in since 2010 with a player named LeBron James.

Cleveland opens the preseason Oct. 8 vs. Milwaukee.