Everyone will give Irving credit - but he gave up one layup after another in regulation and overtime. If he plays defense, we don't need those miracle 3's he made.
Well sure, but to be fair Wall was shredding our entire team. Irving also drew a huge charge against Wall late in the 4th.
He wasn't shredding the entire team - Wall was going right by Irving, who was pretending to guard him. Just no resistance. And his 3's were miracles.
They’re just showing replays on PostGame Live and he was blowing by Irving, Morris, Tatum and Rozier throughout the 2nd half. Rob Williams too, though he can’t really be expected to defend wall do I’m not counting him.
My point is - Morris, Tatum, Rozier and Williams were trying to stop Wall from a help position after he gets a full head of steam blowing by Irving, who does not even slow him down. They were not the primary defender and it was one possession after another down the stretch.
I think Irving's perspective has always been just to outscore the other guy, so he doesn't worry about defending unless it is convenient. He should have more balanced EFFORT on both ends.