Kyrie Irving

[Toph]

Kyrie with defense changes everything. This makes his ceiling exponentially higher. I had already kinda accepted that he was going to be a bad defender. I'm giddy watching some of these games by him.

 

[QuadrupleDouble]

He's not only picked up his personal effort, I'm going to honestly say he's been our best defender the past few games. He hasn't been taking plays off, he's fighting through screens, and he's all over his man.

I can't believe what I'm watching, and I was definitely one of Kyrie's biggest detractors. I used to think no matter who was playing point for the other team, Kyrie had a way of making them look like an all star. It's refreshing as hell to see him shut down all star point guards and make them non factors. It completely changes our defense.

I just hope he keeps up this level of intensity.

Now, if we could only get Kevin Love to put a hand up when a guy shoots, we might have something special. I will say Kevin's effort is up and the guy will not be moved down in the paint. Great defense with his legs and position, but he lets guys shoot right over him too much.

Loving this team right now. This is exactly how I'd envisioned them looking. I'm just waiting to see the bench production I thought we'd have, but someone pointed out that if it took this long for the starters to get it, it'll take longer for the bench. Let's hope the bench goes bananas in a couple games and we're set.

 

[randymoss1881]

Did you quote the wrong guy cause....

Wait, what just happened here? I love myself some curry(especially Thai curry on rice), but I fail to see what he, or the yummy dish has to do with being excited with how well kyrie is playing. Help me out here.

Quoted the wrong guy

 

[RedBlackAttack]

Kyrie is a talented player and has high potential to be an all-time great, but my only issue is with his defenders who think the Cavs are better off with him taking the most shots and leading the team in PPG. I know it's obvious that some fans are still bitter about LeBron even after he came back and probably want him to stay out of Kyrie's way, but i really hope they finally see the bigger picture and see that the team will perform better when LeBron is the head of the snake on every ends, scoring, defense, and assists. If they still can't see it, then it's safe to say some people are just happy to see their team lose as long they see their favorite player/s put on a show.

Translation: Kyrie needs to play more like Mario Chalmers.

I think you're the one concerned a little too much about statistics... LeBron's statistics.

 

[Captain S]

Translation: Kyrie needs to play more like Mario Chalmers.

I think you're the one concerned a little too much about statistics... LeBron's statistics.

Here's some Kyrie stats to sink your teeth into

last ten games 21.6/4.1/5.1 only 1.5 turnovers per game 2.0 spg 0.6 bpg shooting 50/49/80

64 TS% 130 ORTG 106 DRTG

 

[Spencer Hawes]

If he keeps improving on defense throughout the season, he might make it to an all defensive team. Way to stick it to all those bitches that doubted you Kyrie!

 

[RedBlackAttack]

Here's some Kyrie stats to sink your teeth into

last ten games 21.6/4.1/5.1 only 1.5 turnovers per game 2.0 spg 0.6 bpg shooting 50/49/80

64 TS% 130 ORTG 106 DRTG

Brilliant. I'm not afraid to say I think he's been our best player over the last week and that's not an indictment of LeBron or Love or anyone else. It's just a tip 'o the cap to a guy who is playing out of his mind.

That being said...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3E-3SvUMW4

 

[TyGuy]

Kyrie has easily been the most impressive and consistent cav to me. He has really grown as a player and a leader since last season. He is actually kind of flying under the radar as well

 

[RedBlackAttack]

Kyrie has easily been the most impressive and consistent cav to me. He has really grown as a player and a leader since last season. He is actually kind of flying under the radar as well

Yep, which I actually think may be a good thing. Let the recognition of what he's doing come slowly. I just watched ESPN's highlights from yesterday's game... they were 80% Love, 10% LeBron and Kyrie. The game before, it was basically 100% LeBron.

...and that's fine with me.

 

[Cavatt]

I love his newfound defense. Just a little worried about him going complete ISO with the bench guys. I understand him wanting to get some shots up with Lebron off the court, I just want to see everyone involved.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I love his defense so far this year, and I agree, he's been the best player so far.

He reminds me of Pau Gasol on the Lakers--sure, Kobe was the reason they were contenders, just like LeBron's the reason we're a contender. But, the quality scoring is what puts you over the top. With LBJ/Love collapsing the defense, I don't see any reason Kyrie can't flirt with a 50/40/90 season.

 

[MH32246]

Kyrie has easily been the most impressive and consistent cav to me. He has really grown as a player and a leader since last season. He is actually kind of flying under the radar as well

He has been most consistent b/c his role has reduced and the ball is in a better play maker hands giving him the option to focus in more on his role and overall basketball game. He doesn't have to worry about doing anything other than defending and scoring so far.

 

[pinoycavsfan]

I love his newfound defense. Just a little worried about him going complete ISO with the bench guys. I understand him wanting to get some shots up with Lebron off the court, I just want to see everyone involved.

imo, having kyrie and varejao leading the second unit will give kyrie a pick n roll bigman thus making the offense of the 2nd unit dynamic.. this also minimizes kyrie iso.. sub kyrie and varejao at the 4minute mark of the first and let them come back in the 2nd..

 

[Cavatt]

imo, having kyrie and varejao leading the second unit will give kyrie a pick n roll bigman thus making the offense of the 2nd unit dynamic.. this also minimizes kyrie iso.. sub kyrie and varejao at the 4minute mark of the first and let them come back in the 2nd..

Who knows? Our bench might become awesome overnight when Delly returns. I am coming around to putting AV on the bench for his passing and because you can run the offense through him in the high post.

 

[LeShaq]

Coming into the season, I did not want Kyrie to shoot the ball more than Love did. But if Kyrie keeps shooting as well as he is, then I really don't care how many shots he takes. He's playing great.