Can Kyrie Irving and Coach Brad Stevens co-exist?

[gouki88]

Can we sign and trade Kyrie given his contract/tenure situation?

I'm more and more convinced he isn't a good fit, and it would be a shame if he walked for nothing.

I think we theoretically could, but there's no way it'll happen.

If he wants to leave a team won't trade anything for him. If he wants to stay and we trade him, however, then that could be a possibility. Don't think it's a good idea, but it's a possibility

[PhoSita]

Can we sign and trade Kyrie given his contract/tenure situation?

I'm more and more convinced he isn't a good fit, and it would be a shame if he walked for nothing.

Unfortunately I think we're just hosed.

Danny made a gamble.  It was a smart decision.  He gave up a Brooklyn pick, Jae Crowder, and not much else given what we now know about the extent of Isaiah's injury.

Seemed like it was gonna work out, but now it really looks like it will end up as a miss.

At least we still have Tatum and Brown.  If Kyrie does leave maybe their development will get back on track.  Provided we also move on from Mook and Rozier.

[Moranis]

The dynamic between Brad and Kyrie is the least of this team's problems (I don't actually think it's a problem at all).  The bigger issue is why Brad cannot establish any sort of hierarchy behind Kyrie, nor get the guys to buy into the team concept this season.

Brad hasn't forgotten how to coach basketball, but what he is showing is that he might not be very good at the ego management aspect of being a NBA coach. It's the first time he's been tested in this way at the NBA level, but Brad has failed at that aspect of his job so far this season, plain and simple.

he can't establish a hierarchy because he destroyed that opportunity when he told guys that not only earned their mins. and positions but were also healthy that they'd have to take a backseat to a guy that can't go full speed.

except you know Brown was the starter to start the year and couldn't perform.  Hayward has nothing to do with Rozier's minutes, that is Irving coming back. 

[KGBirdBias]

I dont think Kyrie understands how good he has it in Boston.

He didnt like Cleveland and we all know Boston is a better sports city than Cleveland. If he won in Boston he would be a legend.

When he gets to NY, how are him and KD going to deal with the press if they are getting bent out of shape in Boston and GS. He will be calling Ainge and apologizing next year when he gets to NY. LOL

We all saw that run yesterday without him and I knee as soon as Stevens put him back in it was over. Stevens should've just let them go but he throws water on any runs a player or team had by substituting all the time.

[Jiri Welsch]

I just think at this point, Kyrie at least owes it to Ainge to tell him he’s gone.

The dumbest thing would be for Ainge to try to pull off some trade to make Kyrie happy, and then Kyrie leaves anyways.

I think maybe Ainge can package a few picks for another starting big man, while hopefully keeping Tatum and Brown. It’s crappy but I think we can all agree Kyrie is not a #1 guy on a championship team.

[Green-18]

I just think at this point, Kyrie at least owes it to Ainge to tell him he’s gone.

The dumbest thing would be for Ainge to try to pull off some trade to make Kyrie happy, and then Kyrie leaves anyways.

I think maybe Ainge can package a few picks for another starting big man, while hopefully keeping Tatum and Brown. It’s crappy but I think we can all agree Kyrie is not a #1 guy on a championship team.

We agree that Kyrie cannot be the clear cut best player on a championship team.  That said, I still believe he can be the best "closer" on a championship team.  A 100% healthy Hayward would have changed things quite a bit. 

I try to keep things in perspective by remembering our issues through the first 20 games.  The kids were overconfident.  Hayward was, and still is, a shell of his former self.  Since then we have seen Kyrie Irving crumble under the pressure of expectations.  He's realizing that leadership is infinitely more difficult than he assumed.  He knows that he has no answers for this locker room, and he's too stubborn to admit it in a humble way.

[PhoSita]

I dont think Kyrie understands how good he has it in Boston.

He didnt like Cleveland and we all know Boston is a better sports city than Cleveland. If he won in Boston he would be a legend.

When he gets to NY, how are him and KD going to deal with the press if they are getting bent out of shape in Boston and GS. He will be calling Ainge and apologizing next year when he gets to NY. LOL

We all saw that run yesterday without him and I knee as soon as Stevens put him back in it was over. Stevens should've just let them go but he throws water on any runs a player or team had by substituting all the time.

I'm curious if the issue is that Kyrie wants a team that will feature him the way the Rockets feature Harden.  A team that will not just let him be himself but will actually try to structure the team and system around him to maximize his stat profile so that he gains recognition as one of the elite players in the league instead of just a top 15 guy.


I'm not sure why he would have ever thought the Celts would do that.  It's clearly not how they are built or what Brad is about.

Maybe Kyrie was willing to go along with the Brad Stevens equal opportunity offense for a while until it was clear the team wasn't going to be gangbusters going that route.  I just wonder if he looks at Harden taking a billion shots and scoring 35+ a game and thinks he could do the same if given the chance.

[ozgod]

I dont think Kyrie understands how good he has it in Boston.

He didnt like Cleveland and we all know Boston is a better sports city than Cleveland. If he won in Boston he would be a legend.

When he gets to NY, how are him and KD going to deal with the press if they are getting bent out of shape in Boston and GS. He will be calling Ainge and apologizing next year when he gets to NY. LOL

We all saw that run yesterday without him and I knee as soon as Stevens put him back in it was over. Stevens should've just let them go but he throws water on any runs a player or team had by substituting all the time.

I'm curious if the issue is that Kyrie wants a team that will feature him the way the Rockets feature Harden.  A team that will not just let him be himself but will actually try to structure the team and system around him to maximize his stat profile so that he gains recognition as one of the elite players in the league instead of just a top 15 guy.


I'm not sure why he would have ever thought the Celts would do that.  It's clearly not how they are built or what Brad is about.

Maybe Kyrie was willing to go along with the Brad Stevens equal opportunity offense for a while until it was clear the team wasn't going to be gangbusters going that route.  I just wonder if he looks at Harden taking a billion shots and scoring 35+ a game and thinks he could do the same if given the chance.

It's possible, though all his interviews at the start of last season were about how he doesn't care about that stuff anymore, doesn't care about his ppg the way he used to when he was young, he just wanted to win and be the leader of a team. Maybe he was lying but we will never know.

[KGBirdBias]

I think the person Ainge should be more worried about and consult with on the temp of the team is Horford. Horford is also a FA and he has seen the team transition from IT to now. He is an important piece and we shouldn't just focus on Kyries happiness. If Kyrie wants a system like Harden has...see ya.

Who knows Horford could say I'm not resigning if Kyrie resigns. There is too much focus on Kyrie when others have agenda too. However they can all play together and put aside their agenda when they're playing .if 8 guys are unhappy that's what you focus on, not when one guy is unhappy.

[Tr1boy]

number 1 rule to building a championship team is that the player and coach must be in sync

Jordan and Jackson
Kobe and Jackson

KG and Rivers
Duncan and Pop


then the rest of the team will follow properly


CBS and Irving is the same as CBS and Rondo.  Major disconnect

One is inconsistent and self serving (Irving), though highly skilled offensively

The other is systematic and team oriented (CBS).  "on a string"  is a term he uses over and over again

Danny Ainge took a plunge to trade for Irving.... It was a risk.  Risks don't always pay off

But the IT4 trade curse is real imo.  Basketball gods is punishing Ainge.  Hayward had a fluke accident.  Irving has failed as a leader and there is much chaos internally

This season is likely a write off .  I'm excited at the prospects of next season.  Kyrie will likely walk.  Morris is gone.   It will be a team similar to last season unit that made the ECF   +  additions

[wiley]

I think the person Ainge should be more worried about and consult with on the temp of the team is Horford. Horford is also a FA and he has seen the team transition from IT to now. He is an important piece and we shouldn't just focus on Kyries happiness. If Kyrie wants a system like Harden has...see ya.

Who knows Horford could say I'm not resigning if Kyrie resigns. There is too much focus on Kyrie when others have agenda too. However they can all play together and put aside their agenda when they're playing .if 8 guys are unhappy that's what you focus on, not when one guy is unhappy.

Horford is essential.  He is at an age where in the regular season at times he seems like he might not be necessary, but that's a false impression.  He is still, and can be for a few more years if allowed to preserves somewhat in the regular season, a playoff monster (most games). 

So I agree with keeping Horford happy.  No Horford = no title in the next 3 years. 

[KGBirdBias]

number 1 rule to building a championship team is that the player and coach must be in sync

Jordan and Jackson
Kobe and Jackson

KG and Rivers
Duncan and Pop


then the rest of the team will follow properly


CBS and Irving is the same as CBS and Rondo.  Major disconnect

One is inconsistent and self serving (Irving), though highly skilled offensively

The other is systematic and team oriented (CBS).  "on a string"  is a term he uses over and over again

Danny Ainge took a plunge to trade for Irving.... It was a risk.  Risks don't always pay off

But the IT4 trade curse is real imo.  Basketball gods is punishing Ainge.  Hayward had a fluke accident.  Irving has failed as a leader and there is much chaos internally

This season is likely a write off .  I'm excited at the prospects of next season.  Kyrie will likely walk.  Morris is gone.   It will be a team similar to last season unit that made the ECF   +  additions

Totally agree with these points.

[KGBirdBias]

I think the person Ainge should be more worried about and consult with on the temp of the team is Horford. Horford is also a FA and he has seen the team transition from IT to now. He is an important piece and we shouldn't just focus on Kyries happiness. If Kyrie wants a system like Harden has...see ya.

Who knows Horford could say I'm not resigning if Kyrie resigns. There is too much focus on Kyrie when others have agenda too. However they can all play together and put aside their agenda when they're playing .if 8 guys are unhappy that's what you focus on, not when one guy is unhappy.

Horford is essential.  He is at an age where in the regular season at times he seems like he might not be necessary, but that's a false impression.  He is still, and can be for a few more years if allowed to preserves somewhat in the regular season, a playoff monster (most games). 

So I agree with keeping Horford happy.  No Horford = no title in the next 3 years.

The young guys respond to Horford. He knows when to be vocal and just to show leadership by his play.

[td450]

I suggest the following reading assignments:

https://www.boston.com/sports/nba/2019/03/01/adam-silver-sloan-nba-unhappy

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/3/4/18249721/boston-celtics-kyrie-irving-brad-stevens-crisis

The team has several problems that are not his fault, but Kyrie does not have the emotional makeup to fit as a Celtic. He is unhappy with the whole NBA experience

[KGBirdBias]

I'm with the poster who said Kyrie should go to Ainge and tell him he's not resigning. I will take it a step further and say Ainge should go to Kyrie and tell him, the team will be moving in a different direction next year.

This would in essence stop all of his pouting and motivate him and the others to play better. The others may feel like Ainge will unload them to resign. Kyrie and trade for AD. Reverse the tables and let's see who is motivated to play.