I'm beginning to get concerned that Irving's ball dominance and iso heavy offensive style coupled with his bad defense will actually make Boston worse.
Tommy point on a gutsy post. I'm a cynical fan as well and part of me has concerns about chemistry. But I think Stevens is the best guy to find a way to make it work.
Don't get me wrong, there are stretches where Boston can't score and Irving is a master at that, but I think Hayward would also help that a great deal and unlike Irving, Hayward has a more team friendly offensive style and isn't a liability on the defensive end. I just wonder if those Irving for Leonard trade rumors have some actual fire to them and aren't just nonsense to fill the time.
You’re not exactly describing a Popovich type of player either.
Nope, but if Leonard tells them he is leaving, and with Pop not having much time left, then Irving would make a great deal of sense in a straight up swap (or only minor other pieces exchanging hands).
Rozier is clearly not as good as Irving as an overall player, but he seems to have a nice chemistry with the other starters, has completely bought into the Stevens offense, and is a better defender. All of that has made Brown and Tatum much better offensive players and allowed them more freedom defensively (since they aren't covering for Irving). I don't think it is a coincidence that Irving goes down and Brown all of a sudden looks like a #1 scoring option and Tatum has exploded with confidence. I just don't know if Irving's ball dominance has a place in this offense. I never would have thought I would be saying that, but watching the way this team has played without Irving, I'm really not sure he has a place and if Boston can get some other better fitting piece, I'd absolutely consider it.