Basketball On The Internet.

SO much for the rose-colored glasses brigade who were so certain Kyrie Irving was entertaining the notion of playing for the Boomers at World Cup and/or Olympic competitions.

Melbourne-born? Maybe.

But USA-bred and bred for the USA team.

Last winter, after Kyrie had wowed NBA fans in Melbourne and diplomatically answered the questions about his international status, the Beacon Journal reported after a US squad mini-camp that Irving “was already considered a near lock” to make the next American team.

His announcement as a starter for the Eastern Conference in the annual NBA All Star Game – his 860,221 votes were second only to Miami’s Dwyane Wade – makes him the fifth-youngest player voted an All-Star and just the third All-Star starter in Cleveland Cavaliers history.

(See if you can guess both the others. Well, one isn’t too difficult. Answers at the end of the article.)

“Thank you fans for voting for me as an All-Star starter,” Irving wrote on Twitter today.

“Wouldn't be there without you all!!”

That’s a fair call, Kobe Bryant’s position as a Western Conference All Star starter only further reinforcing the game is little more than a popularity contest. But then, we knew that.

As for being named in the 28-man USA squad? Now that IS something.

Bryant has retired from international play but the squad looks fairly imposing even without him.

Irving should be selected for the USA’s World Cup team this winter for the tournament in Spain, making him a front-runner for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

It also definitively rules out forever the dream of him playing for Australia.

“It's such an honor to be in such a great pool of players,” Irving said.

“You look at the list of the veterans on the team and the newcomers - it's such great talent.”

Joining Irving in the national men’s squad are: LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Bradley Beal, Tyson Chandler, DeMarcus Cousins, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Kevin Durant, Kenneth Faried, Paul George, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Gordon Hayward, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Kyle Korver, David Lee, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams.

The 12 selected from there will take some beating.

Of course, inclusion on the squad doesn't guarantee a roster spot for either the World Cup or Olympic teams.

Previously though, USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski have used the team for the World Championship – now the World Cup -  as the basis for the next Olympic team.

That means Irving and Lillard have an excellent shot at selection.

“I'm looking forward to going to camp and working hard with the team,” Irving said, the camp again reuniting him with Krzyzewski.

Coach K had Irving for one season at Duke University and both previously have expressed a desire to again work together in a basketball arena.

“I'm not surprised with anything Kyrie is doing,” Krzyzewski said.

“I knew in high school he not just had special athletic talents, but special mental and people talents.

“He's got the whole package. He's grounded. Nothing that he does will surprise me.”

What do you think then?

Kyrie playing for the Boomers?

Not a chance. 

Then again, his Cavaliers teammate Matthew Dellavedova most certainly will.

Trivia answer: The two previous Cleveland Cavaliers to start in an All Star Game are LeBron James and Shawn Kemp.