Kyrie (underrated & better than Steph-maybe) - GQ.com

[The One]

Fascinating analysis by Damon Young:

https://www.gq.com/story/how-kyrie-irving-is-still-underrated-explained?intcid=inline_amp

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gq.com/story/kyrie-irving-vs-steph-curry-nba-playoffs-2017/amp

[Roy H.]

At least in the second article, there's literally zero analysis, and it doesn't say that Kyrie is a better player than Steph.

[bellerephon]

I thought the first article made too much of Kyrie's performance in the all star game, a game that literally means nothing. I do agree, however, that his critics are to quick to downplay the way he raises his game in the playoffs.

[max215]

I thought the first article made too much of Kyrie's performance in the all star game, a game that literally means nothing. I do agree, however, that his critics are to quick to downplay the way he raises his game in the playoffs.

Kyrie career regular season per-36: 22.8/3.6/5.8 on 56.1% TS
Kyrie career playoffs per-36: 23.7/3/4.6 on 57.3% TS

He becomes a marginally more effective scorer and even less of a creator for others.

[droopdog7]

Here's the thing.  Kyrie is ultra talented.  Some of the greatest handles of all time, very good size/speed quickness combo, great shooter, and clever finisher.  People need to wake up to the kind of talent he has.  Kyrie can do whatever he wants on the court.  Dude literally has MVP portential.

The questions are about his style of play and whether he can elevate others will still playing his game.  It's a fair question but I'm excited to see it play out.

[moiso]

Here's the thing.  Kyrie is ultra talented.  Some of the greatest handles of all time, very good size/speed quickness combo, great shooter, and clever finisher.  People need to wake up to the kind of talent he has.  Kyrie can do whatever he wants on the court.  Dude literally has MVP portential.

The questions are about his style of play and whether he can elevate others will still playing his game.  It's a fair question but I'm excited to see it play out.

He can do whatever he wants as far as scoring the ball.  He can't do what he wants as far as passing, defending, or rebounding. 

[max215]

Here's the thing.  Kyrie is ultra talented.  Some of the greatest handles of all time, very good size/speed quickness combo, great shooter, and clever finisher.  People need to wake up to the kind of talent he has.  Kyrie can do whatever he wants on the court.  Dude literally has MVP portential.

The questions are about his style of play and whether he can elevate others will still playing his game.  It's a fair question but I'm excited to see it play out.

He can do whatever he wants as far as scoring the ball.  He can't do what he wants as far as passing, defending, or rebounding.

C'mon, it's not like those are important aspects of the game.

[bellerephon]

Kyrie averaged almost 6 assists per game last year, and 5.5 for his career. And that's on a team where the offense runs through Lebron. He's not a big time assist guy, but he's a solid passer. He's not a plus rebounder, but as a point guard that's not a big deal. The real problem for Kyrie is on defense. There's no excuse for him to be as poor as he is. If he could become an average defender that would boost his stock quite a bit.