Kyrie is a shorter version of Kobe Bryant. Agree or disagree?

[Celtics4ever]

If everyone is so "butt hurt" because we lost a beloved player (and let's not mention also trading away a bargain contract, a decent center prospect, AND a sure lottery pick - with no protection), what will 25ppg really do? IT scored more than that anyway. But wait, he's five (5!!) inches taller!!!1!!1!!

I could understand if we traded Bradley and that package, I get it. But a healthy IT is too close to Kyrie to warrant everything else added in. Now if he really won't ever be the same, I can see how this makes sense. We will know by next May how good this trade was. When we see IT in the playoffs and what that Nets pick turns out to be.

I would like to challenge this by saying that most of the nation thinks that Kyrie is a younger player than IT, who is just entering his prime.  I would also assert that most people in the country think Kyrie is the better of the two because they have seen him in finals.   Take off, the green tinted glasses for a second.  A lot depends of course if IT can recover.

You're really reaching when you say decent center project.   I think Ainge saw enough of Zizic after summer league if he really liked him he would have protected him like he did Tatum.   So I don't think this applies.

As for the pick, it hurts but no one wants to deal with Ainge and I think Ainge has learned that so he threw in to sweeten the deal.   People wanted the farm each time Ainge had assets because we had them.

As for the 25 PPG that is a projection and little more.   I think we could be a better team given time.    We lost some grit and toughness with some serial over achievers in AB and Crowder.   We added some athletic guys  and better scorer in Hayward at the wing.   IT and Irving are a wash so I do not think that matters.   Morris should be tougher than KO but lacks some of his basketball IQ.

It will get better over time.  When the season starts I hope folks will root for the uniform.   

[Big333223]

Before Trade: "Kyrie is a tad bit overrated. No defense. No alpha, relies so much on Lebron. Ballhog. Can ONLY shoot. I'd rather Wall or Isaiah over him as my PG."

After Trade: "Kyrie Irving is a shorter version of Kobe Bryant. Best PG in the East and possibly Top-3 or Top-2 PG in the league, and his defense is about to become Leonard-esque here"

 

TP. I've remarked on this phenomenon a few times already. It's like some people suddenly developed green blinders as soon as Kyrie was acquired. Until he proves differently, he is the same player now that he was before the trade for both his strengths and flaws.

Who is saying that exactly?

Celtics fans everywhere you look

Then give me at least 5 quote otherwise you are making it up

This, please. I have literally not seen a single post of anyone arguing Kyrie will become an above average defender. I've seen, at most, posters saying he has the potential to become average or that he has been better than IT, which isn't saying much.

[jakeopp]

Before Trade: "Kyrie is a tad bit overrated. No defense. No alpha, relies so much on Lebron. Ballhog. Can ONLY shoot. I'd rather Wall or Isaiah over him as my PG."

After Trade: "Kyrie Irving is a shorter version of Kobe Bryant. Best PG in the East and possibly Top-3 or Top-2 PG in the league, and his defense is about to become Leonard-esque here"

 

TP. I've remarked on this phenomenon a few times already. It's like some people suddenly developed green blinders as soon as Kyrie was acquired. Until he proves differently, he is the same player now that he was before the trade for both his strengths and flaws.

Who is saying that exactly?

Celtics fans everywhere you look

Then give me at least 5 quote otherwise you are making it up

Could care less whether you believe me or not. You're capable of doing your own research.

[Roy H.]

Before Trade: "Kyrie is a tad bit overrated. No defense. No alpha, relies so much on Lebron. Ballhog. Can ONLY shoot. I'd rather Wall or Isaiah over him as my PG."

After Trade: "Kyrie Irving is a shorter version of Kobe Bryant. Best PG in the East and possibly Top-3 or Top-2 PG in the league, and his defense is about to become Leonard-esque here"

 

TP. I've remarked on this phenomenon a few times already. It's like some people suddenly developed green blinders as soon as Kyrie was acquired. Until he proves differently, he is the same player now that he was before the trade for both his strengths and flaws.

Who is saying that exactly?

Celtics fans everywhere you look

Then give me at least 5 quote otherwise you are making it up

Could care less whether you believe me or not. You're capable of doing your own research.

Yeah, I'm not sure that it's the majority opinion, but I've seen people argue that Kyrie played "elite" defense against Steph, and that just by showing effort he'll be an above-average defender. I've seen people say he was "never" hidden on defense in Cleveland.

It's fine to have a difference of opinion, but some of those opinions seem a bit out there. They're certainly prevalent, although I get the sense that most Kyrie fans know his defense is bad (as Danny Ainge acknowledged).

[Moranis]

Before Trade: "Kyrie is a tad bit overrated. No defense. No alpha, relies so much on Lebron. Ballhog. Can ONLY shoot. I'd rather Wall or Isaiah over him as my PG."

After Trade: "Kyrie Irving is a shorter version of Kobe Bryant. Best PG in the East and possibly Top-3 or Top-2 PG in the league, and his defense is about to become Leonard-esque here"

 

TP. I've remarked on this phenomenon a few times already. It's like some people suddenly developed green blinders as soon as Kyrie was acquired. Until he proves differently, he is the same player now that he was before the trade for both his strengths and flaws.

Who is saying that exactly?

Celtics fans everywhere you look

Then give me at least 5 quote otherwise you are making it up

Could care less whether you believe me or not. You're capable of doing your own research.

Yeah, I'm not sure that it's the majority opinion, but I've seen people argue that Kyrie played "elite" defense against Steph, and that just by showing effort he'll be an above-average defender. I've seen people say he was "never" hidden on defense in Cleveland.

It's fine to have a difference of opinion, but some of those opinions seem a bit out there. They're certainly prevalent, although I get the sense that most Kyrie fans know his defense is bad (as Danny Ainge acknowledged).

I really haven't seen anyone say he played elite defense against Steph.  I could have missed it of course.  I have seen people say that if Irving gave more effort he would be better defensively (and certainly not bad), but I'm not sure I recall people saying he would a plus defender (or above average).  Certainly plenty of comments about him being better than Thomas though.  Now I have seen people say he wasn't hidden in Cleveland, and he certainly was, but he couldn't be hidden against Golden State (because they had guards/wings that all had to be guarded), which is how I think most of those people meant that comment i.e. he wasn't hidden against Golden State (and then they leave off the more relevant part because he couldn't be).