2017-2018 Boston Celtics: No Irving! No Hayward! No Brooklyn Pick!

[LeeBuckeye]

Kyrie Irving sensed that we needed him and boy did he deliver. He has the most aesthetically pleasing game in the NBA but isn't just finesse as he has uncanny strength for a player of his size. When he has the glass game working (it was off in the first series) he is simply unstoppable. Smart and Bradley are probably the best combo of athletic defensive guards you will see and he had them dancing and guessing all game.

Although we've been shaky in 4 out of the last 8 quarters, it's great to see him going while Love is maintaining that stroke from deep. I've said this before but this is way better than being an arrogant 12-0 going into the finals.

 

[Kbiz]

Smart and Bradley are probably the best combo of athletic defensive guards you will see and he had them dancing and guessing all game.

You bring up a great point...Irving is being hounded by two great defensive players and still managing to find his game this series. He is likely licking his chops for the next guy to guard him.

 

[bigfoot5415]

Btw, remember when Kyrie was struggling with efficiency in the playoffs?

Last three games...

ECF
Game 2: 23 points (8-11 FG, 3-6 3PT, 4-5 FT), 3 assists, +37
Game 3: 29 points (10-15 FG, 4-6 3PT, 5-5 FT), 7 assists, +0
Game 4: 42 points (15-22 FG, 4-7 3PT, 8-9 FT), 4 assists, +9

Averages
31.3 points (69% FG, 58% 3PT, 90% FT), 5 assists, +46

You bring up a great point...Irving is being hounded by two great defensive players and still managing to find his game this series. He is likely licking his chops for the next guy to guard him.

 

[GreasySpread36]

When he has the glass game working (it was off in the first series) he is simply unstoppable. Smart and Bradley are probably the best combo of athletic defensive guards you will see and he had them dancing and guessing all game.

Or shoot, look at last year's Finals. He spent a lot of time being guarded by Klay Thompson, a very good defender, and Klay couldn't stop him. We hear the word "unguardable" tossed around a lot, but Kyrie really is unguardable when he's hot. There isn't a defender in this league that can prevent him from getting to the spots he wants to get to or from getting the shots he wants.

 

[Kbiz]

Or shoot, look at last year's Finals. He spent a lot of time being guarded by Klay Thompson, a very good defender, and Klay couldn't stop him. We hear the word "unguardable" tossed around a lot, but Kyrie really is unguardable when he's hot. There isn't a defender in this league that can prevent him from getting to the spots he wants to get to or from getting the shots he wants.

I really don't understand the "Klay Thompson is a very good defender" the NBA has tried prove to us. If you look at his advanced stats, they're pretty unremarkable. I think his length is his biggest asset as he's tall for a SG but when going up against bigger guys, he turns into the pencil-dick his face represents. His length can cause fits for smaller players but Irving can score over taller dudes in a myriad of ways.

 

[Omar The Horse]

View: https://twitter.com/davidzavac/status/867381607468077056

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

That ankle turn was deep....really concerned about that the next few weeks. Can be aggravated easily - and that assumes he is well enough to go 100% on it. Pisser.

 

[BigJ]

I really don't understand the "Klay Thompson is a very good defender" the NBA has tried prove to us. If you look at his advanced stats, they're pretty unremarkable. I think his length is his biggest asset as he's tall for a SG but when going up against bigger guys, he turns into the pencil-dick his face represents. His length can cause fits for smaller players but Irving can score over taller dudes in a myriad of ways.

Yeah especially this year Klay actually has been a even bad defender.. He is decent in spurts but really subpar most of the Time. In the Playoffs so far Klay is trash... KD beeing back has totally destroyed his Rythm.. If he keeps playing like he has so far we have one less Problem. We still have to guard him to prevent him from even getting a rythm but he is not really a huge danger right now.

 

[Gus Zing]

I was at the game tonight in the corner section (124). LeBron's body language most of the game was absolutely awful. Twice during the game Kyrie pulled LeBron aside out of timeouts and was clearly giving him directions. Obviously LeBron is the team's leader, but tonight, Kyrie carried the Cavs (including LeBron) on his back to a playoff victory.

Good for Kyrie. He's going to have to learn to take charge of the team eventually.
View: https://twitter.com/clevezirm/status/867377541966954497

 

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Amazing game by Kyrie. Not just the scoring outburst, which we all knew would be coming as he is just too talented of a scorer, but he played decent defense as well. He fought through screens. He bodied up when needed. Just a fantastic game by him. Great to see.

 

[ACisKING]

I was at the game tonight in the corner section (124). LeBron's body language most of the game was absolutely awful. Twice during the game Kyrie pulled LeBron aside out of timeouts and was clearly giving him directions. Obviously LeBron is the team's leader, but tonight, Kyrie carried the Cavs (including LeBron) on his back to a playoff victory.

This makes me really happy to hear. Love seeing him taking on a leadership role and growing as a player. The sky is the limit with his talent level.

 

[Thunder]

Kyrie played amazing last night. But the pessimist in me is worried about that ankle. He played through it due to adrenaline but could it be swelled up and extremely sore today? And with another game tomorrow it can only slow the healing process and increase chances of re-aggravating it. I really hope it just looked worse than it actually is...

 

[godfather]

Kyrie is my favourite male alive.

Sent from my HP 10 using Tapatalk

 

[KIxJR1]

This guy really put the team on his back when it was really needed. I'm proud!!!!

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

You bring up a great point...Irving is being hounded by two great defensive players and still managing to find his game this series. He is likely licking his chops for the next guy to guard him.

On a similar note, Avery Bradley has a reputation that lets him hand check like a mofo. Watch it closely and see how he always hand checks kyrie on every drive. He holds Kyrie's Jersey, he prevents Kyrie from going to areas on the floor with his hand and he is basically allowed to guard with different set of rules.

This is bullshit.

Kyrie totally saved Lue, the Cavs and Lebron last night. Wow.. thought we would have to play them 2 more games atleast with a further risk to get injured.

I really hope Kyrie is okay.. I thought it was all over at the time.