Kyrie Irving

[RedBlackAttack]

He's a purebred basketball player for sure. His basketball IQ is phenomenal even if you don't consider that he's a rook.

Am I just a crazy homer when I say that there isn't a single player in the NBA that I would trade for him considering our current situation in Cleveland? No one. And, there isn't a single player in this coming draft I would even think about giving him up for, including Davis.

[Lottery God]

He's a purebred basketball player for sure. His basketball IQ is phenomenal even if you don't consider that he's a rook.

A PG with a post-up game? Kyrie's about 7 years ahead of LeBron already. He also has a shot that LeBron will never have.

[pinoycavsfan]

Uh-huh...




This is maybe Kyrie's most dynamic offensive games of the season. Of course, he has had more explosive outings, but the sheer variety of ways he scored, here... His game is so fucking advanced.

this guy is so good!

i am just concerned that the cavs cant rely on their PG to score while setting up his team mates, that is why i think kyrie needs another player who can create just like him to open up the spacing. I just dont know any player in the upcoming draft that can have that same impact.

[Futuredome]

Irving needs to find another injury. The stakes have risen.

[Rob]

Uh-huh...




This is maybe Kyrie's most dynamic offensive games of the season. Of course, he has had more explosive outings, but the sheer variety of ways he scored, here... His game is so fucking advanced.

I showed my friend this video. He's pretty knowledgeable about the NBA. He's not really a fan of one team, he just likes watching basketball. So no bias. This is what he said:

"Am I the only one who sees a bit of modern Kobe in Irving's play?"

At first I was like, woah. Thats the first time I've heard that comparison. But if you think about it, it does make some sense. He doesn't have the athleticism of young Kobe, but he has the shot making ability of old Kobe.

[rabman_gold]

That video only showed some of Kobe's game, but that's not the Irving we've seen all season. After thinking about what he does well and how he does it, I think I got the comparison.

He's part Anti-Isiah, part Anti-Price. Now you're probably wondering why "Anti"? I'll start the list:

1. High IQ - Both Price and Isiah had that element
2. Size - This is where Irving's a larger version of these guys and can do more because of that
3. Lack of athleticism - Doesn't have Thomas' explosion, but rather only due to the toe hurting his abilities there; Price is somewhat similar in this regard
4. Speed - "Change of Pace" is what Isiah was able to do quite well, which requires talent and athleticism to begin with, so Price doesn't hold a candle here
5. Shooting - Price is a dazzler with the shot, while Isiah did well partially
6. Tricky handles - That's the type that Thomas had
7. Tricky passes - Again, like Isiah
8. Streak shooting - Like both, but capable of getting even hotter like Price
9. Pick and Roll - Again, like both
10. Dribbling the opponent to sleep, using IQ - Just like Thomas

Irving's more of a natural point guard than we thought. He has excellent court vision and uses his "bring the ball up and down for layup" in a specific way to get opponents off. It's a difficult trick to perform because you can travel if you're not careful. That's something he's better than both Price and Thomas at. But he also can use the angles to make passes, so he see's things everywhere and can also make passes on the floor like Thomas. What do you guys think?

Guesstimate: 40% Thomas, 30% Price, 20% Both, 10% Superior

[Rob]

If we win tonight because you Kyrie, I'm going to be mad at him.

[MoFlo]

If we win tonight because you Kyrie, I'm going to be mad at him.

Wait... what?

[Mdog1]

If we win tonight because you Kyrie, I'm going to be mad at him.

Don't worry i've got the reverse jinx in the bag bro. At least I hope I do. God I don't want to sport a Heat avy.

[Jon]

What do you guys think?

Guesstimate: 40% Thomas, 30% Price, 20% Both, 10% Superior

Kyrie scores the ball almost effortlessly, but until he starts dishing more assists and running the team better he shouldn't be mentioned with those guys. If someone wants to dig up the team assists when Kyrie plays and when he doesn't it would be interesting to see, but I'm afraid it's not much different.

[Lee]

Nash is not overrated! I feel very obligated to say that though being the boards resident Canuck.

I can see Kyrie being like Nash, but even if he doesn't improve defenisvely he is already better on that end than Nash. As for the play making ability, I don't want to put a cap on a rookie as talented as Kyrie, but play making is not just about the amount of assists you get, and court vision isn't something that you just pick up as you play.

And don't get me wrong Lee I do believe that if Kyrie hadn't been surrounded by a bunch of DLeague bench players this year he would have averaged double digit assists. Doesn't mean I am right though.

One, nash was not born in Canada, so you better hitch your wagon to TT;s career.

Two, i dont know if I see Kyrie as a double digit assist guy. 8-9 i think is his max. Maybe in 5 or so years, but I think putting a good ballhandling wing next to him is crucial for us to get the most out of his talents. He is way too good of a shooter to not play him some off the ball too.

[Lottery God]

One, nash was not born in Canada, so you better hitch your wagon to TT;s career.

Two, i dont know if I see Kyrie as a double digit assist guy. 8-9 i think is his max. Maybe in 5 or so years, but I think putting a good ballhandling wing next to him is crucial for us to get the most out of his talents. He is way too good of a shooter to not play him some off the ball too.

I think Kyrie's more likely to break 30 ppg than he is 10 apg. He's a fucking monster when it comes to scoring, and he is showing the ability to quickly pick up new scoring methods at a high efficacy.

[warddj86]

This.

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nb...10_rookie.nba/

[Jon]

Two, i dont know if I see Kyrie as a double digit assist guy. 8-9 i think is his max.

Mark was typically dishing out 7 or 8 in his prime except a couple of seasons when he hit 9 and 10. It usually does take a while for a young PG to really learn how to run a team - and the more attention Kyrie draws the more open looks he'll be able to create.

But with a system like the Princeton, it's the team assists that really matter and whether Mark was dishing out 8 or 10 assists per game, the Cavs were generally one of the top teams in the assist category. We'll have the final numbers soon enough, but the Cavs are currently sitting at 21st in the league in team assists .vs. 20th last season. So, we're not making much progress ... at least yet.

Hopefully we can find Kyrie some guys at least as talented as Daugherty, Hot Rod, Ehlo, Nance/Harper to play with...

[Pioneer10]

Irving's body control does remind me of Kobe and Ginobili. Those are the other two guys who are able to twist there bodies going full speed and get shot off at weird angles.
This is the type of thing that nothing at the combine really measures: grading coordination and agility is a lot harder to test then speed and jumping ability