Is Kyrie the new Patrick Ewing?

[IDreamCeltics]

After the Celtics drubbing of the Hornets last night it begs the question...

[Who]

I think the rest of the team is more engaged and involved when Kyrie isn't playing. Kyrie has got to do a better job of getting his while still giving everyone else enough room to express their talents too. If that means scoring less, so be it.

[CelticsPoetry]

He will not and should not pass to open teammates who keep bricking shots. Apart from his contested/early in the shot clock threes, I have little problems with his shot selection. His assist numbers are up, even more so in the last few games, so I really dont see the problem. And I must add, for anyone saying how he gets burned on defense, please watch tape of Rozier. Apart from the toronto game, his D has been atrocius.

[Roy H.]

According to basketball-reference, Kyrie averages a +8.6 when he starts. Meanwhile, Rozier averages -3.1 as a starter.

In other words, in games TR starts, we play teams a bit worse than evenly when Rozier is in the game.

That’s despite Terry starting against these teams:

Utah
New Orleans
Minnesota
Dallas
Brooklyn x2
Cleveland
Charlotte

Terry’s individual stats are much better as a starter, but in terms of team play with Rozier in there, last night’s result was an anomaly.

[Androslav]

Bulls have beaten a team in a regular season game in 86 without MJ. They were clearly a better team without him that game.
They lost 3-0 in the first round with him, no surprise.
Then later, Bulls management screwed it all up by bringing Pippen and Grant.
What a bunch of losers.

This year we can witness that Austin Rivers is a clearly better player than CP3 is.
Houston is 12-6 (.667) with him and just 17-11 (.607) with CP3 on the floor.

[RJ87]

According to basketball-reference, Kyrie averages a +8.6 when he starts. Meanwhile, Rozier averages -3.1 as a starter.

In other words, in games TR starts, we play teams a bit worse than evenly when Rozier is in the game.

That’s despite Terry starting against these teams:

Utah
New Orleans
Minnesota
Dallas
Brooklyn x2
Cleveland
Charlotte

Terry’s individual stats are much better as a starter, but in terms of team play with Rozier in there, last night’s result was an anomaly.

This will be ignored because it doesn't fit the narrative.

[gouki88]

According to basketball-reference, Kyrie averages a +8.6 when he starts. Meanwhile, Rozier averages -3.1 as a starter.

In other words, in games TR starts, we play teams a bit worse than evenly when Rozier is in the game.

That’s despite Terry starting against these teams:

Utah
New Orleans
Minnesota
Dallas
Brooklyn x2
Cleveland
Charlotte

Terry’s individual stats are much better as a starter, but in terms of team play with Rozier in there, last night’s result was an anomaly.

This will be ignored because it doesn't fit the narrative.

Yep. They're provably worse with Kyrie sitting, but because our role players might look more engaged sometimes (funny how players are more engaged when they get more minutes) when Kyrie is out - typically against bad teams - people jump to this "we're better off without Kyrie" stuff

[PhoSita]

No.

Many of the games Kyrie has missed have been against crappy opponents.

The team is much better offensively with Kyrie out there.  That's the ceiling you need to compete in the playoffs.


Terry is much better as a starter so without Kyrie the Celtics become an ok offense with a great defense. That's enough to look good against many opponents.

The Celtics are a much better team with Kyrie.

[Surferdad]

After the Celtics drubbing of the Hornets last night it begs the question...

No it doesn't.  Hornets are terrible, and they play with no energy.

[PhoSita]

After the Celtics drubbing of the Hornets last night it begs the question...

No it doesn't.  Hornets are terrible, and they play with no energy.

Apart from Kemba, the Hornets are a team that always looks to me like they have a solid system on offense and defense but their personnel is just not good enough to really challenge you.

[SHAQATTACK]

After the Celtics drubbing of the Hornets last night it begs the question...

No it doesn't.  Hornets are terrible, and they play with no energy.

Apart from Kemba, the Hornets are a team that always looks to me like they have a solid system on offense and defense but their personnel is just not good enough to really challenge you.

without stars thats what you are treading water at lower end of the playoff rankings .

They have good players fun to watch ,  but thats about where the gig ends for them ....no finals trip.

[PhoSita]

After the Celtics drubbing of the Hornets last night it begs the question...

No it doesn't.  Hornets are terrible, and they play with no energy.

Apart from Kemba, the Hornets are a team that always looks to me like they have a solid system on offense and defense but their personnel is just not good enough to really challenge you.

without stars thats what you are treading water at lower end of the playoff rankings .

They have good players fun to watch ,  but thats about where the gig ends for them ....no finals trip.

With the Hornets it goes beyond not having stars.  Every player in their rotation is basically 20-30% worse than I'd want from a player in that role, even though ostensibly they all have the rough skillset of who I want at that position.


It's just a thoroughly mediocre roster across the board apart from Kemba.

Makes me wonder how good they could be if they just had average or better guys in their rotation.

[vjcsmoke]

Celtics beat up the Hornets, yes.  But the Hornets are not an elite team this year.  I wouldn't read too much into it.  I did love how the Celtics were sharing the ball last night though.

[bopna]

Kyrie has been resting because we are playing the crap teams...

If this were the POs then Kyrie would be playing no doubt.

Against NY, again Irving isnt playing.

If Kyrie didnt play against the warriors we would get a darn smackdown and all you people would be singing a different tune.