Kyrie instantly the Alpha, and leader of the Team

[KG Living Legend]

 Player wise. Stevens is still the coach and leader, player wise though, it's Not Horford or Hayward it's Irving and if you didn't think so it became self evident at the press conference. Hayward really took the back seat and Irving was driving.

 Sure he's a little different, I look forward too seeing him develop into the leader he's supposed to be. He's smart, charismatic, and cool. He's a really impressive young man. This is working out perfect.

 Hayward is great but he's not a #1 on a title team, he could however be a #2 on a title team. Same goes for Horford he's better suited to be a third or fourth option. Both Hayward and Horford are really unselfish.

 Tatum can also be a go to guy or another slightly more selfish scorer, but title teams need a couple guys that think like that.

 

[C3LTSF4N]

Agreed

[jakeopp]

Won't know until the season actually starts. He just joined the team this week lol.

Any Jazz fan would be happy to inform you that Hayward isn't an "alpha", anyone expecting him to be the leader of this group was way off base.

I personally don't think we have single team leader this year but several leaders. Kyrie will be "the man" on offense, Al is the vet of this group, Marcus is the longest tenured Celtic and sets the tone on defense. Ultimately it's Brad's team.

[KG Living Legend]

Won't know until the season actually starts. He just joined the team this week lol.

Any Jazz fan would be happy to inform you that Hayward isn't an "alpha", anyone expecting him to be the leader of this group was way off base.

I personally don't think we have single team leader this year but several leaders. Kyrie will be "the man" on offense, Al is the vet of this group, Marcus is the longest tenured Celtic and sets the tone on defense. Ultimately it's Brad's team.

 Maybe you weren't listening. I don't need any more time. Irving is the leader of the team from day 1. He's the most intelligent, has the most confidence. He's an NBA Champion that literally won the finals for them. He's been to the finals three year's in a row. He's a four time All star at 25.

 He's the man, like it or not.

[Jamilmac99]

I'd like to see Kyrie explode for 31 ppg and 9 assists per game for the season. What will the critics say then?

[Androslav]

I'd like to see Kyrie explode for 31 ppg and 9 assists per game for the season. What will the critics say then?

I also think that he will unleash his inner dragon next season.
But I really don't care about the critics. I am sure this whole situation will work itself out, considering everyone involved.

[Jamilmac99]

Agree, I dont care about the critics either. I think we are all expecting Kyries ppg numbers to increase due to not playing with Lebron. Creating for others is not his best trait but lets see if Brad Stevens unselfish offense can do. I would even be thrilled with 6-7 assists from Kyrie.

[Yazfan]

Hayward is just not a vocal in your face type of guy.

He is competitive as heck. Like Kyrie said, he's a bad boy. Don't judge a book by his opie taylor cover.

He is unselfish so players like playing with him. Smart and always makes the right play even if his stats suffer.

Utah would love to still have him, put it that way

[PickNRoll]

The "alpha dog" idea is overstated and over-valued, probably a shockwave from the MJ dynasty.  Who was the "alpha" on all those great Spurs teams?  Golden State?  04' Pistons.  Was it Shaq or was it Kobe?  Is Steve Nash an "alpha"?  Who cares?

Some good teams have one and some don't.  We have a group of highly professional, competitive, disciplined guys.  They listen to Stevens and they execute.  We don't need someone barking in the huddle.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

glory glory hallelujah!

[KG Living Legend]

The "alpha dog" idea is overstated and over-valued, probably a shockwave from the MJ dynasty.  Who was the "alpha" on all those great Spurs teams?  Golden State?  04' Pistons.  Was it Shaq or was it Kobe?  Is Steve Nash an "alpha"?  Who cares?

Some good teams have one and some don't.  We have a group of highly professional, competitive, disciplined guys.  They listen to Stevens and they execute.  We don't need someone barking in the huddle.

 No. It's not overblown. Shaq was the alpha. Bird was the Alpha. Billups was on Detroit. Name a team I'll tell you who the Alpha was.
 Thanks for playing try again.

[PickNRoll]

The "alpha dog" idea is overstated and over-valued, probably a shockwave from the MJ dynasty.  Who was the "alpha" on all those great Spurs teams?  Golden State?  04' Pistons.  Was it Shaq or was it Kobe?  Is Steve Nash an "alpha"?  Who cares?

Some good teams have one and some don't.  We have a group of highly professional, competitive, disciplined guys.  They listen to Stevens and they execute.  We don't need someone barking in the huddle.

 No. It's not overblown. Shaq was the alpha. Bird was the Alpha. Billups was on Detroit. Name a team I'll tell you who the Alpha was.
 Thanks for playing try again.

OK.

17' Warriors
15' Hawks
13' Nuggets
98' Pacers
98' Wizards
01' Kings
every Spurs team
every Jazz team

Not every team has some hyper-dominant guy shouting in practice.  It can be a collective.

[mctyson]

I'd like to see Kyrie explode for 31 ppg and 9 assists per game for the season. What will the critics say then?

I also think that he will unleash his inner dragon next season.
But I really don't care about the critics. I am sure this whole situation will work itself out, considering everyone involved.

All the pressure is on Kyrie.  He asked for it, and he got it.

It will make things easier for Smart, Brown, and Tatum...even Hayward.

[KG Living Legend]

The "alpha dog" idea is overstated and over-valued, probably a shockwave from the MJ dynasty.  Who was the "alpha" on all those great Spurs teams?  Golden State?  04' Pistons.  Was it Shaq or was it Kobe?  Is Steve Nash an "alpha"?  Who cares?

Some good teams have one and some don't.  We have a group of highly professional, competitive, disciplined guys.  They listen to Stevens and they execute.  We don't need someone barking in the huddle.

 No. It's not overblown. Shaq was the alpha. Bird was the Alpha. Billups was on Detroit. Name a team I'll tell you who the Alpha was.
 Thanks for playing try again.

OK.

17' Warriors
15' Hawks
13' Nuggets
98' Pacers
98' Wizards
01' Kings
every Spurs team
every Jazz team

Not every team has some hyper-dominant guy shouting in practice.  It can be a collective.

 You have a misunderstanding of what Alpha means.

 Steph Curry was the aloha before Durant got there. Is he pounding his chest and screaming in practice?

 King's Chris Webber
Pacers Reggie Miller obviously
 Hawk's they sucked no Alpha


 Spurs Tim Duncan. Again, don't have to ba a jerk to be the Alpha.

[moiso]

He might be the best player but to me it looks like everyone respects and listens to Horford.  And Smart is the motivational rah rah type to get behind.  Everyone may know that Irving is our best player but that won't automatically make him the emotional leader.