Kyrie Irving

[Simmy]

So first everyone railroads anyone who thinks it's an awful idea that Kyrie is playing in FIBA due to injury concerns and now that an injury HAS occurred it's suppose to lead to less likely future injuries?

Oh who knows, I'm just trying to play devils advocate here and look at things from another perspective haha! But I really do think that it's better now than later. Get all the cobwebs off him now so he's ready to go in a couple of months time.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Really, what it boils down to is that the guy has always been one of the fiercest competitors in the league. I think it's fair to give him a little bit of time to work off 2.5 years of rust before we write him off as mentally weak.

I don't think it's right to call him one of the fiercest competitors in the league. The fiercest competitors are the guys just itching to get back on the court when they're cleared from injury. Guys like Kobe, for example. Fierce competitors don't sit out an extra eight months after they're cleared. Rose seemed pretty content to sit back in his suit and collect his checks while his team lost in the playoffs.

 

[KI4MVP]

Yeah it's a pretty bad comparison now that I think about it...
But Nash was also something of a late bloomer, what I meant to say is I think Kyrie will have a similar career trajectory as Nash's previous dozen or so years in the league.

how can a guy who was not only voted the all star starter, but was MVP of the game, at age 21, and the following summer starts for USA Basketball, ever be considered a late bloomer?

 

[Jack Brickman]

how can a guy who was not only voted the all star starter, but was MVP of the game, at age 21, and the following summer starts for USA Basketball, ever be considered a late bloomer?

He also had one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time.

 

[shoes22]

how can a guy who was not only voted the all star starter, but was MVP of the game, at age 21, and the following summer starts for USA Basketball, ever be considered a late bloomer?

That wasn't what I was saying...I was trying to say from this point on, Kyrie's career should resemble Nash's previous 12 years in the league.

 

[blommen]

That wasn't what I was saying...I was trying to say from this point on, Kyrie's career should resemble Nash's previous 12 years in the league.

I still think you're aiming too low. 17 points on 46% with 7 assists is way less than what i expect Kyrie to average next season and that's what nash averaged 12 seasons ago. While agree that his points are likely going to dip and his assists go up I think it's perfectly realistic to expect 20 points and 8 assists on 47-49%. he's going to get a lot of open looks this year and i fully expect Blatt's offensive system to help him in regards to setting up open shooters for him to hit while on the ball. of course, if lebron takes the role of primary ball handler, which i don't think he will, his assists numbers will probably take a hit but if that's the case i expect his scoring to make som big strides.

 

[Nathan S]

I think people are underrating how efficient Kyrie could be playing alongside LeBron and Love. I think he has a really, really good chance of hitting 50-40-90.

 

[VAIN1]

Delusional! lol

Rose on his FIBA play:

"I'm loving the way that I'm playing," Rose said. "Of course missing shots, that's part of the game. But just conditioning-wise and how I've been playing defense and low turnovers the last couple of games, I'm loving it. I feel like me picking up fullcourt, really getting into people, running the team (helps) me knock this rust off along the way for the regular season.

"I've exceeded my expectations. I'm not sore. My knees are good. I know a lot of people are concerned about that, but I think I'm playing well."

Rose is shooting 25 percent (8-for-32) and has missed 9 of 10 3-point attempts in Team USA's five straight pool play victories. He is averaging 5.4 points in 17.8 minutes.

"Missing layups, that's little rusty stuff that normally comes with not playing for two years," Rose said. "I know I'm missing because of conditioning. I'm in good condition. But to be in condition to play defense like that fullcourt and still have legs under you for the shot, that's my thing. But I'm not worried about it at all."

I just had to share this clown is making it worse

 

[dirtywax]

Pretty annoying how this thread turned into Rose vs. Kyrie. Let it go, people. Let. It. Go.

 

[Lee]

I think people are underrating how efficient Kyrie could be playing alongside LeBron and Love. I think he has a really, really good chance of hitting 50-40-90.

Me too, I see him at 50 points, 40 rebs and 90 assists a game too.

Just off the chart efficiency.

 

[CavsFTW]

I am glad Kyrie is the youngest of the big 3

Big 3s should include impact players only. Garnett, Pierce, Allen. James, Wade, Bosh. All were impact players before joining forces.

Same goes for Love.

Irving has NEVER been an impact player thanks to his matador defense. LeBron and Love have been light years better. Had he posted even an average RAPM last season, the Cavs probably would've made the playoffs (and would've lost out on LeBron/Love, but that's a different discussion). Maybe he'll become part of a Big 3, but right now that's just wishful thinking.

Btw...

I'd take Irving over Rose every day and twice on Sunday. Both are injury prone and overrated, but at least Kyrie has functioning legs and a reasonable chance at becoming elite.

 

[Cashius X]

Big 3s should include impact players only. Garnett, Pierce, Allen. James, Wade, Bosh. All were impact players before joining forces.

Same goes for Love.

Irving has NEVER been an impact player thanks to his matador defense. LeBron and Love have been light years better. Had he posted even an average RAPM last season, the Cavs probably would've made the playoffs (and would've lost out on LeBron/Love, but that's a different discussion). Maybe he'll become a Big 3, but right now that's just wishful thinking.

You may be the only basketball fan in the world who doesn't think Irving should be included in our "Big Three"...

Just ridiculous stance to take. Really ridiculous.

 

[CavsFTW]

You may be the only basketball fan in the world who doesn't think Irving should be included in our "Big Three"...

Just ridiculous stance to take. Really ridiculous.

Some fans are willing to overlook Kyrie's poor defense. I do not. If you think good offense + horrible defense = elite player, then you don't understand what an elite player is.

 

[amil99]

Big 3s should include impact players only. Garnett, Pierce, Allen. James, Wade, Bosh. All were impact players before joining forces.

Same goes for Love.

All on lottery teams in their primes. Try harder next time but 3/10 for effort

 

[SouthernOhioCav]

Some fans are willing to overlook Kyrie's poor defense. I do not. If you think good offense + horrible defense = elite player, then you don't understand what an elite player is.

Most NBA people believe James Harden is elite but he doesn't play defense either. Kyrie is certainly one of the most talented guys in the NBA and if he wasn't elite last year then he certainly will be with Lebron James on the team with him. Kyrie will show better effort on Defense I feel, just like he has for Team USA. He is absolutely going to be a part of our Big 3 this year.