In Praise of Kyrie Irving

[apc]

He had a very good game against the Warriors yesterday.  Shame they couldn't close it out.

Agree, on both sides!

[Tr1boy]

Irving went back on "hero" mode last night

No way Brown and Rozier will want to stay here long term

Could be the same for Hayward

End of the day... all falls on Ainge

[Phantom255x]

It's not Irving's fault. He did have a few dumb turnovers but so did the Warriors. The clear problem as we saw last night was, the Warriors have multiple scoring threats. The C's really only have Irving. So when Irving is doubled or even tripled, others have to step up and they didn't. And still, we had a great shot to tie it or even go ahead late, but unfortunately Smart slipped and allowed the Warriors to rebound the miss.

It honestly reminded me a bit of the 2016-2017 season where IT was sensational but we got exposed often when he was our only real scoring threat.

That said, Irving was pretty clearly the 2nd best player on the court for last night's game (only marginally behind Durant who was sensational as usual).

[Eddie20]

Irving went back on "hero" mode last night

No way Brown and Rozier will want to stay here long term

Could be the same for Hayward

End of the day... all falls on Ainge

You’re right, why have Ainge when we can have you as our GM? Just imagine how good we’d be with your ingenious trade ideas of Horford for Dedmon and Irving for Kuzma and Hart. Plus, let’s not forget about Mickey who you’d probably have locked up to a longterm deal.

[RJ87]

It's not Irving's fault. He did have a few dumb turnovers but so did the Warriors. The clear problem as we saw last night was, the Warriors have multiple scoring threats. The C's really only have Irving. So when Irving is doubled or even tripled, others have to step up and they didn't. And still, we had a great shot to tie it or even go ahead late, but unfortunately Smart slipped and allowed the Warriors to rebound the miss.

It honestly reminded me a bit of the 2016-2017 season where IT was sensational but we got exposed often when he was our only real scoring threat.

That said, Irving was pretty clearly the 2nd best player on the court for last night's game (only marginally behind Durant who was sensational as usual).

Agreed. If this team is going to go to the next level (which I 100% think they can), then we need a guy to step up into that 2nd scorer role who doesn't disappear at key stretches. Tatum might be that guy but he needs to sort out his shot selection. Those contested, long midrange shots are killers. If he can do more of what he did in the 3rd quarter - go to the rim and shoot 3's - we'd be in good shape.

[Vox_Populi]

Irving went back on "hero" mode last night

No way Brown and Rozier will want to stay here long term

Could be the same for Hayward

End of the day... all falls on Ainge

You’re right, why have Ainge when we can have you as our GM? Just imagine how good we’d be with your ingenious trade ideas of Horford for Dedmon and Irving for Kuzma and Hart. Plus, let’s not forget about Mickey who you’d probably have locked up to a longterm deal.

I don't disagree, but you gotta let the Mickey thing go haha.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I love that we have a star that is willing to only take 15 shots on a big stage game. He just wants the team to play the right way. He wants to be part of a basketball team that plays the right way. He wants to move the ball.

Irving is averaging 17.9 fga per game, which is 19th in the NBA. He is only taking that many shots, even though he is one of the most efficient players and best shooters in the NBA. That's leading by example and buying into CBS system.

[MichiganAdam]

THis is what we need from all of our players.  Move the ball to get the most efficient shot, even if it isn't yours.  THat and feed the Hot hand.  We do these unselfish acts and the talent will win through.  I never want to see a 3-12 from three by one player and then 4-5 from another.  Make the extra pass and feed the hot hand.  Don't just take "your normal" amount of shots because you can.

[Big333223]

I love that we have a star that is willing to only take 15 shots on a big stage game. He just wants the team to play the right way. He wants to be part of a basketball team that plays the right way. He wants to move the ball.

Irving is averaging 17.9 fga per game, which is 19th in the NBA. He is only taking that many shots, even though he is one of the most efficient players and best shooters in the NBA. That's leading by example and buying into CBS system.

He's also 20th in USG%, just behind Luka Doncic and just ahead of Jordan Clarkson (?!).

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I love that we have a star that is willing to only take 15 shots on a big stage game. He just wants the team to play the right way. He wants to be part of a basketball team that plays the right way. He wants to move the ball.

Irving is averaging 17.9 fga per game, which is 19th in the NBA. He is only taking that many shots, even though he is one of the most efficient players and best shooters in the NBA. That's leading by example and buying into CBS system.

KYRIE! KYRIE! KYRIE!

[ozgod]

Kyrie tends to go into hero mode when other players are struggling to put the ball in the hole...if you look at the times when his teammates are shooting well Kyrie is pretty content to facilitate and take what the defense gives him.

[Fierce1]

We'll know for sure what kind of a hero Kyrie is in the playoffs.

This will be the first time Kyrie will be in the playoffs without Lebron James.

[Green-18]

Kyrie tends to go into hero mode when other players are struggling to put the ball in the hole...if you look at the times when his teammates are shooting well Kyrie is pretty content to facilitate and take what the defense gives him.

It's a balancing act for sure.  There will be times where Kyrie needs to be super aggressive in looking for his own shot.  The 2-man game between Kyrie and Horford was dynamite last season, especially with Tatum as a knockdown shooter from beyond the arc.

Hopefully Hayward can continue to build his confidence before the playoffs.  I love the thought of Tatum and Hayward as reliable shooters in close games.  It's going to force teams to pick their poison during crucial possessions.     

[SHAQATTACK]

Go Uncle Drew !

[LarBrd33]

Tommy once called Paul Pierce the best pure scorer in Celtic history... upsetting people that he considered pierce a better “pure scorer” than Larry Bird. 

Tell me why Kyrie Irving isn’t a better pure scorer than Paul Pierce.