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

[Vermont Green]

Kobe Bryant can be legitimately compared to Micheal Jordan and in the conversation about who were the best players ever.  Kyrie is not in that club at all at this point.

Kyrie still has a significant part of his legacy to write.  I hope that Kyrie tries to emulate Chris Paul.  Kyrie could average 25 or more easily but maybe he could average fewer points and more assists.  He hasn't been that player to date but as I said, now let's see what player Kyrie can be.

[moiso]

Gilbert Arenas

With better handles and less athleticism.

Arenas had pretty good handles. Dont remember him being a great athlete .

Arenas never made noise in the playoffs either

What Kyrie has done in the playoffs (and at the highest level) is kobesque imo

Now he needs more rings to be at par but clutch execution at the highest level

Only a few in the league exist at the moment

Parker
Manu
Now Durant
Lebron (last shots no)

Wouldnt even put Curry at the same level

Arenas didn't seem to be much of a leaper but he was very quick and may have been the fastest player in the league before he got hurt- almost on John Wall's level.

[nickagneta]

Gilbert Arenas

With better handles and less athleticism.

Arenas had pretty good handles. Dont remember him being a great athlete either.

Arenas never made noise in the playoffs either

What Kyrie has done in the playoffs (and at the highest level) is kobesque imo

Now he needs more rings to be at par but clutch execution at the highest level

Only a few in the league exist at the moment

Parker
Manu
Now Durant
Lebron (last shots no)

Wouldnt even put Curry at the same level

Curry is a better player and a better comparison to Irving than Kobe is.

Really?

Who has been better at the finals. Irving or Curry?

Who has played better defense in the finals?

So even though Curry and Irving are good to great shooters(FG%/3PT%/FT%), are PGs, have similar height and body builds, have shoot first games, are good but not great passers, have exceptional handles, aren't great defenders(Curry is a decent defender, KI is awful), have won championships, and have similar playoff stats

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=1&player_id1_hint=Kyrie+Irving&player_id1_select=Kyrie+Irving&y1=2017&player_id1=irvinky01&idx=players&player_id2_hint=Stephen+Curry&player_id2_select=Stephen+Curry&y2=2017&player_id2=curryst01&idx=players

you believe they are dissimilar simply because Irving has played slightly better and put up slightly better stats in the Finals(which I am not even sure of, check their playoff numbers in the link above).

Triboy, Curry is an immensely better comparison to Irving than Kobe is. Kobe's game isn't remotely like Kyrie. Curry is and if Kyrie can increase his defensive accumen, passing and shooting percentages slightly and can be even more like Curry, this trade will be a great trade for the Celtics.

[Tr1boy]

I hope not. We don't need the court room drama.

=D

[max215]

I don't see the comparison to Kobe at all. Best comp I see is better version of Jamal Crawford.

First time I've heard that, and it's not bad. Kyrie's more flash than substance, but a heck of a lot more substance than Crawford (hence the "better version"). They are genuinely similar in style of play, though, unlike Kobe and Kyrie. I like it.

[Rondo9]

I don't see the comparison to Kobe at all. Best comp I see is better version of Jamal Crawford.

First time I've heard that, and it's not bad. Kyrie's more flash than substance, but a heck of a lot more substance than Crawford (hence the "better version"). They are genuinely similar in style of play, though, unlike Kobe and Kyrie. I like it.

I think Kyrie is much better than Crawford in terms of scoring efficiency.

[jakeopp]

I don't see the similarities, at all really.

Kobe was an above the rim athlete, Kyrie isn't. Kobe was a well above average defender, Kyrie is below average. Kobe was a very good passer when he put his mind to it, I'm not convinced Kyrie is yet.

Similarities? They score a lot, make tough shots. What else really?

[Ogaju]

Disagree

[guava_wrench]

Completely disagree. How often does Kyrie fade away from the post?

[GreenFaith1819]

Kobe Bean Bryant was an ALPHA. He was an Alpha of the Alphas.

Kyrie has shown that to me in flashes.

Maybe now that he's out from under the shadow of LeBron he can display that on the regular.

Kobe Bryant was also an Elite Defender. Kyrie will need to work on that side of the ball.

He's going to NEED it.

[footey]

Kyrie a better 3 point shooter.

[CelticsElite]

Whether he is or isn't, kyrie is an amazing player to watch. We have the best ball handler in the game

[CelticsQuestFor18]

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"

 

[CelticsElite]

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"

 

true, but i think we can all agree we hate the enemies as passionate celtic fans until theyre on our team haha. but its hard to disagree that kyrie has destroyed us many times we faced the cavs. and we've seen him make very impressive clutch shots. fun player to watch

[Granath]

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.