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

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Regrade the finalized trade

  • A+

    Votes: 20 8.0%

  • A

    Votes: 70 27.9%

  • B

    Votes: 74 29.5%

  • C

    Votes: 39 15.5%

  • D

    Votes: 18 7.2%

  • F

    Votes: 30 12.0%
  • Total voters
    251
thedarkness2332 said:
There's actually a point in the near future that Kyrie might be leading us in scoring, as soon as next season.

However, I just think that we will never see a LeBron/Kyrie tussle for team control like Shaq/Kobe. Completely different scenario. Don't get me wrong, they all have egos, but LeBron constantly talks about seeing big things in the kid, can be an MVP one day. And he may very well develop into the best in the league in 4-5 years.

The difference is Shaq and Kobe had jealousy and resentment. I think LeBron will transition more into the post around 36-38, and let Kyrie be the primary ballhandler for real. It will be peaceful and graceful. And LeBron's reputation will remain intact. No "challenging" each other negatively going on.
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Totally agree.
 
Lee said:
You can make an argument for Duncan in his prime was better than Shaq in his prime and their prime was during Shaq's laker years.

Duncan averaged more rebounds, more blocks, was a better defender and had a more diverse (although less dominant) offensive game.

The others mentioned were not really that close to Shaq, although I am a huge Allen Iverson fan.
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Not to go further off topic, but I do agree that Shaq may have been at one point, the best player in the NBA, and certainly top 3 for an even longer duration. But, my argument is that it was never with the separation from his next 3-5 highest peers that LeBron has created in the last few years.

There's a good chance when the dust settles, LeBron is only trailing Jordan, or somehow manages to pass him depending on the rest of his career. To me, that cannot be challenged by a teammate. As for Shaq, Kobe had passed him while Shaq still had the ego that he was the best player on the planet even though he likely wasn't. The two had resentment as a result--and their tempers didn't help.

Shaq and Penny had a similar tussle briefly. "Whose team is it?" is all Shaq liked to talk about for a very long time and he never really grew up until Wade.

Everything I've heard so far from LeBron/Kyrie is that when the time is right, both will know it, and LeBron supports the kid. Now, we just have to hope we are lucky enough to see words turn into action in the next 5 years, because that would likely mean more championships for the good guys in that span.
 
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thedarkness2332 said:
Not to go further off topic, but I do agree that Shaq may have been at one point, the best player in the NBA, and certainly top 3 for an even longer duration. But, my argument is that it was never with the separation from his next 3-5 highest peers that LeBron has created in the last few years.

There's a good chance when the dust settles, LeBron is only trailing Jordan, or somehow manages to pass him depending on the rest of his career. To me, that cannot be challenged by a teammate. As for Shaq, Kobe had passed him while Shaq still had the ego that he was the best player on the planet even though he likely wasn't. The two had resentment as a result--and their tempers didn't help.

Shaq and Penny had a similar tussle briefly. "Whose team is it?" is all Shaq liked to talk about for a very long time and he never really grew up until Wade.

Everything I've heard so far from LeBron/Kyrie is that when the time is right, both will know it, and LeBron supports the kid. Now, we just have to hope we are lucky enough to see words turn into action in the next 5 years, because that would likely mean more championships for the good guys in that span.
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SO this will bring us back on topic.

While I agree that at some time over the next 5 years Kyrie will most likely pass Lebron as our best player, I do not think it will be anyone elses team outside of Lebron as long as Lebron is playing for the Cavs.

Now this is not a bad thing, but Lebron has that coach on the court type personality that everyone looks up to. Just as lets say Duncan was always the team leader even as he decline happened, Lebron will always be the team leader.

I also dont think Lebron will have an issue recognizing Kyrie as the better player on the court when it happens, but it will always be Lebron's team...and that will work just fine just like it worked just fine in SA
 
Lee said:
SO this will bring us back on topic.

While I agree that at some time over the next 5 years Kyrie will most likely pass Lebron as our best player, I do not think it will be anyone elses team outside of Lebron as long as Lebron is playing for the Cavs.

Now this is not a bad thing, but Lebron has that coach on the court type personality that everyone looks up to. Just as lets say Duncan was always the team leader even as he decline happened, Lebron will always be the team leader.

I also dont think Lebron will have an issue recognizing Kyrie as the better player on the court when it happens, but it will always be Lebron's team...and that will work just fine just like it worked just fine in SA
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I agree, it's LeBron's team for as long as he's on it based on everything that he gives you and the reputation that he's earned. That's what I meant in terms of LeBron's legacy/position can't be challenged by a teammate, ever.

As for the within next 5 years comment, I merely meant in terms of go-to scorer, crunch situations, MVP candidate--Kyrie will eventually transition to our workhorse.
 
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The Cavs, led (in scoring) by LeBron and Kyrie as 1A and 1B will probably continue a little longer.

But rather than developing into a Shaq-Kobe duo where they're competing with each other for the most shots (fga per game >= 18 for both), I think they'll look more like the Showtime Lakers... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had willingly passed the baton to Magic in 1986, when Kareem was 39 years old (and 4th on the team in field goals attempted per game).

And it worked. But that was Kareem's 18th year, being the #1 option EVERY year beforehand (while playing all 4 years of college basketball to go with it). If we use the 18th year as a measurement for LeBron passing the reigns, that would be when he's 36-37 years old, after the year 2020.

I don't see it being an issue. LeBron had less than 18 fga per game in 2 of his Miami years (still in his peak). Kyrie's peak years coincide with LeBron's twilight years.
 
Kyrie's recent snap chat is up. And Jesus Christ...his mid section is ripped. He's been working.

He's cursing up a storm too.

This isn't a gay Friday night grandma post.
 
I don't know if it was just me, but it felt like Kyrie had a sneaky 29 points. It didn't feel like he had that much.

That is kind of scary. Just imagine when he really gets going. Especially if LeBron gives up some of the scoring load, Kyrie could see a pretty big jump in points per game.
 
Walter White said:
I don't know if it was just me, but it felt like Kyrie had a sneaky 29 points. It didn't feel like he had that much.

That is kind of scary. Just imagine when he really gets going. Especially if LeBron gives up some of the scoring load, Kyrie could see a pretty big jump in points per game.
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Its because he scored like 20 straight in 3rd lol, made it look so effortless to
 
Great game for Kyrie tonight.

I hope LeBron doesn't go too much into trying to get everyone else involved. He needs to be aggressive and looking to score in order for the Cavs to beat the top tier teams.
 
Northstar said:
Great game for Kyrie tonight.

I hope LeBron doesn't go too much into trying to get everyone else involved. He needs to be aggressive and looking to score in order for the Cavs to beat the top tier teams.
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I dunno bro; homeboy had a triple double on amazing efficiency.. 20/14/12? I'll take that every day of the week, against any team in the league..

If the Big 3 play like this, NOBODY in the league can beat us in 7 games.

BTW, the Spurs are embarrassing the Warriors right now purely through their defense.. Very interesting...
 
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