Is Isaiah better than Kyrie?

[jambr380]

Sorry, but no....ask Cleveland if they would swap.

IT is gonna get shut down in the playoffs again--He's great, but he's a regular season player.
Which is pretty much our entire team.

When you're the only scoring option, then defenses will focus on you. Will Kyrie suffer the same fate if he and Isaiah swapped places?

Yeah, seriously. Let IT play with Lebron and Love and see how the team performs. Before the new-age Cavs came together, Kyrie was leading teams to the first pick in the lottery year after year (I realize the Cavs weren't last, but they certainly weren't good during this time).

[Monkhouse]

Kyrie is only 'better' because he was the 1st pick and Isaiah was the 60th pick. Also, Kyrie is taller than IT and receives a lot more national attention. These facts don't literally make Kyrie better than IT, but that is the sad truth.

Taking injuries, contract, and attitude into consideration, I will take IT 10/10 times.

Kyrie is a better scorer in my opinion, better shot creator, and definitely has the superior 3 pt shooting in his aresenal. But IT is the better player. Its hard to explain, you'd think Kyrie with almost every advantage, size wise, and handling skills would be outperforming Isaiah Thomas, but naturally Isaiah Thomas contributes more.

Still if Cleveland wanted Bradley, Isaiah Thomas, and a few first round picks except the Brooklyn pick, I would gladly give it up. Kyrie is an young and budding superstar point guard that can clearly be the go to guy in the right system.

[Yenohb]

BBALLBREAKDOWN made the video below two years ago(kudos to them) arguing that Thomas has a better offensive versatility(better at spot ups and transition than Kyrie) and is much more efficient. 'Not sure if it's still applicable on the current situation, don't have the numbers to compare.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htiURZVuoks

[tarheelsxxiii]

Man, Kyrie is arguably the second most talented basketball player in the NBA. Who is better at creating their own shot? Also, his finishes at the rim, especially for his size, are insane... he's like IT on steroids, in that respect. Problem is he's literally never healthy. That's the downfall of CLE in this window they have right now (that, and GS).

[KG Living Legend]

 I would not trade Thomas for Kyrie unless I had a plan to flip him for something else. Kyrie is a B+itch and Thomas is all heart.

[max215]

Man, Kyrie is arguably the second most talented basketball player in the NBA. Who is better at creating their own shot? Also, his finishes at the rim, especially for his size, are insane... he's like IT on steroids, in that respect. Problem is he's literally never healthy. That's the downfall of CLE in this window they have right now (that, and GS).

I strongly disagree that he's the second most talented, but he does have some impressive talents. His handle is second to none, he's versatile as he can play both on and off ball, he's fantastic at the rim, and he has elite size and athleticism. Despite all these traits though, he struggles to put up superior numbers to a 5'9" afterthought. Don't you find that a little disappointing?

[chambers]

Man, Kyrie is arguably the second most talented basketball player in the NBA. Who is better at creating their own shot? Also, his finishes at the rim, especially for his size, are insane... he's like IT on steroids, in that respect. Problem is he's literally never healthy. That's the downfall of CLE in this window they have right now (that, and GS).

I strongly disagree that he's the second most talented, but he does have some impressive talents. His handle is second to none, he's versatile as he can play both on and off ball, he's fantastic at the rim, and he has elite size and athleticism. Despite all these traits though, he struggles to put up superior numbers to a 5'9" afterthought. Don't you find that a little disappointing?

I prefer IT more simply because of his contract. ..but if we are going to keep it real,
I doubt IT would be putting up 19 points 4 assists with Lebron and Kevin Love on this team

[max215]

Man, Kyrie is arguably the second most talented basketball player in the NBA. Who is better at creating their own shot? Also, his finishes at the rim, especially for his size, are insane... he's like IT on steroids, in that respect. Problem is he's literally never healthy. That's the downfall of CLE in this window they have right now (that, and GS).

I strongly disagree that he's the second most talented, but he does have some impressive talents. His handle is second to none, he's versatile as he can play both on and off ball, he's fantastic at the rim, and he has elite size and athleticism. Despite all these traits though, he struggles to put up superior numbers to a 5'9" afterthought. Don't you find that a little disappointing?

I prefer IT more simply because of his contract. ..but if we are going to keep it real,
I doubt IT would be putting up 19 points 4 assists with Lebron and Kevin Love on this team

I'm not saying IT is better; I don't think he is. However, Isaiah's numbers this year are nearly identical to Kyrie's best season in the NBA, which was pre-LeBron.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Man, Kyrie is arguably the second most talented basketball player in the NBA. Who is better at creating their own shot? Also, his finishes at the rim, especially for his size, are insane... he's like IT on steroids, in that respect. Problem is he's literally never healthy. That's the downfall of CLE in this window they have right now (that, and GS).

I strongly disagree that he's the second most talented, but he does have some impressive talents. His handle is second to none, he's versatile as he can play both on and off ball, he's fantastic at the rim, and he has elite size and athleticism. Despite all these traits though, he struggles to put up superior numbers to a 5'9" afterthought. Don't you find that a little disappointing?

His stats aren't as impressive right now, but we're not evaluating talent based on stats here, right? If this is strictly a conversation (subjective, necessarily) about talent, you gotta afmit that dude is crazy talented. He's just literally never healthy. When he is, he's incredible to watch. World class ball handler and shooter. It's just clear he's never going to be healthy.

Who would I choose? IT, because he actually plays. But who is more talented? Kyrie, and it really isn't even close. What he does with a basketball... I mean, seriously, who else does it? I'm only counting one ahead of him, and that's Chef...

[max215]

Man, Kyrie is arguably the second most talented basketball player in the NBA. Who is better at creating their own shot? Also, his finishes at the rim, especially for his size, are insane... he's like IT on steroids, in that respect. Problem is he's literally never healthy. That's the downfall of CLE in this window they have right now (that, and GS).

I strongly disagree that he's the second most talented, but he does have some impressive talents. His handle is second to none, he's versatile as he can play both on and off ball, he's fantastic at the rim, and he has elite size and athleticism. Despite all these traits though, he struggles to put up superior numbers to a 5'9" afterthought. Don't you find that a little disappointing?

His stats aren't as impressive right now, but we're not evaluating talent based on stats here, right? If this is strictly a conversation (subjective, necessarily) about talent, you gotta afmit that dude is crazy talented. He's just literally never healthy. When he is, he's incredible to watch. World class ball handler and shooter. It's just clear he's never going to be healthy.

Who would I choose? IT, because he actually plays. But who is more talented? Kyrie, and it really isn't even close. What he does with a basketball... I mean, seriously, who else does it? I'm only counting one ahead of him, and that's Chef...

I agree that he's crazy talented, more so than Isaiah without a doubt, but I feel he doesn't fully take advantage of both his skills and his natural abilities. With that handle, that size, that shot, he should be so much more impactful than he is. And speaking of Chef, he wasn't healthy for his first several years in the league either, so maybe Kyrie will finally become healthy at some point and fulfill his true potential.

[oldtype]

This whole idea of IT being easily shut down in the playoffs is based off of one four game series where we were playing a vastly superior team. Let's see if the same happens this year before we jump to conclusions.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

He's certainly more durable than Irving. And he doesn't let the bedbugs bite

[jambr380]

I get that Kyrie is technically more talented, but that doesn't mean much unless the production is there. Now, obviously it is to a good extent with Kyrie, but not more so than IT.

It reminds me of a front page article I read on the TWolves block last month where a number of the posters almost seemed to prefer Crowder over their very own Andrew Wiggins. IT (and many of the Celtics) just seem to have a certain quality about them. Maybe it is simply Stevens being such a great coach.

[SHAQATTACK]

Kyrie not a defensive stopper either.  Slacker on D.  .....he seems to have lost a half of step to various injuries. Suttle but I see it.

Biggest gripe with Kyrie is his unfortunate relationship of having LeWhiner as a BAD influence on court habits .  He has been ruined.

Kyrie now stops to whine after every play call that doesn't go his way.  While the other team is headed down court for an easy bucket.

[Moranis]

Is this a serious question?  Irving is bigger, stronger, and a significantly better shooter.  Just look at February after Irving got back into form from the injury.  Shooting well over 50% from the field.  Much better shooter.  Neither is a good defender or rebounder.  If we wanted to acquire Irving from Cleveland it would probably take Thomas and the BKN 2016 1st, and that still might not be enough.