Kyrie Irving challenges Kobe 1-on-1 for $50,000

[ennui]

Imadogg mad because Kobe played him one on one and bow wow'd him.

[miggs]

but more importantly miles do you think the Cavs take on Bynum for Irving? They surely wouldn't want Pau

If I were the Cavs I'd think really hard about it. Consensus is that Bynum is 2nd best center in the league; some think his ceiling is higher, some even think he's better. But either way, aside from D-Ho and Drew, there's really nobody else...look at the deals Asik and Brook Lopez got, teams are desperate for a young, quality big.

If you were rebuilding, which the Cavs are, you may want to build around Bynum instead of Irving, simply because of rarity, competitive advantage at the position, and perhaps a bigger impact offensively and defensively. Opponents would have to create an entire defensive plan against Bynum, and would have to deal with him when he's protecting the basket. I have no question in my mind Bynum will be better away from the Lakers, both mentally and basketball-wise as the featured franchise player. More touches, more engaged, more responsibility, more maturity.

But the Lakers have the luxury having Pau Gasol, one of the top 5 centers in his own right.

So I wouldn't hesitate to move Bynum for Irving, who is a pure baller. His DNA is pure blood killer, and that video shows right there how his confidence is unshakeable, and his play against the senior team in their practices shows he can back it up.

His skills are elite already. But he has heart, will, passion, and fearlessness. To me, he's not a replacement for Nash, but a replacement for Kobe. He's a worthy kid.

Interesting thought, I find myself wondering who that player will be after Kobe. Irving non-basketball related skills attract me just as much as his game, the kid has what you mentioned in great wealth (heart, will, passion, fearlessness). Would be awesome to bring that kid here, I know you never trade big for small but I'd be willing to for Irving and some pieces and I do think it would benefit both teams greatly, problem is after Pau we're stuck with no big man inside but I guess we can worry about that down the road.

[Tee212]

Is this really goona happen or just youtube talk?

[Mamba Venom]

Kyrie Irving might actually beat Kobe at this point, but not in trash talking.

Forget Dwight Howard, Kyrie Irving would look great in purple and gold.

Kobe has it in the bag this year... waiting a year is a mistake. Kyrie improves Kobe gets close to age 35.

[PurpleGold]

winners ball after made shot

I thought that was a universal thing?

[ennui]

From personal experience, not always.

[tugs]

I want Kyrie to put on that grandpa outfit he used.

[Kalidogg24]

Kyrie's Twitter:


@KyrieIrving

Lol getting replies back like I don't know that Kobe is that dude...we all know the obvious

Lol Me and Kobe talking trash to one another...nothing but respect for the greatest player in our League!!

[Air Poohdini]

Kobe shouldn't wait a year, Kyrie is only going to get better.

[ennui]

Kyrie's Twitter:


@KyrieIrving

Lol getting replies back like I don't know that Kobe is that dude...we all know the obvious

Lol Me and Kobe talking trash to one another...nothing but respect for the greatest player in our League!!

People needn't get so antsy about this. Kyrie is a tough customer, what did people expect him to say? That Kobe is gonna wax my ass? Dude is a competitor, no need to give him grief.

[WCDYNASTY]

Awesome video... Kobe gets this one easy though

[XXIV]

I want Kyrie to put on that grandpa outfit he used.

He could use the extra weight going against Kobe.

[milesfides]

Interesting thought, I find myself wondering who that player will be after Kobe. Irving non-basketball related skills attract me just as much as his game, the kid has what you mentioned in great wealth (heart, will, passion, fearlessness). Would be awesome to bring that kid here, I know you never trade big for small but I'd be willing to for Irving and some pieces and I do think it would benefit both teams greatly, problem is after Pau we're stuck with no big man inside but I guess we can worry about that down the road.

That's the thing, I've seen enough of Bynum (and Dwight) to feel like they're special, but not Laker special. The guys who carried every generation of Lakerdom were the very best the league had to offer.

Kyrie, in his rookie year, was pretty crazy. Like almost Chris Paul rookie year crazy. Crazy efficient for a point guard. Strong, great stroke, gets into the paint plenty of times, finishes well, etc. Yeah, defense could be better, but that's par the course for rookies (and a bad Cavs team).

Kyrie is just special, beyond talk about position. Just a great basketball player.

Howard and Bynum are great. Forces to be reckoned with, sure. Dominant many nights. But transcendent players? No.

I don't want to use all-star games, but there's some truth to seeing how great players play with each other, pecking order, etc.

All star games don't lie...great players still separate themselves from the pack. They distinguish themselves, they assert themselves...and the other guys recognize, respect the alpha alpha males.

And the all-star games aren't always guard-dominated. Big men like Shaq, KG (37 points!), Tim Duncan were all all-star MVP's. Because regardless of position, they're special. Dwight Howard? Mostly a bystander.

You know why? Because he's not a legit great basketball player (I mean, does the guy have a real unstoppable post move yet, after so many years in the league? Nope). Neither is Bynum (at least, not on the Lakers). Just because you're the best at your position doesn't mean your one of the very best players in the league.

But Kyrie is special. Who knows for sure, but he had just about as good of a rookie season as you can hope for in a point guard. But I've seen enough to make me a believer...dude is not afraid of anybody, no sacred cows. Chris Paul? Getting up there in age, knee a little wonky. Deron Williams? Don't really trust that guy or his heart. Big fan of Russell Westbrook and Harden of course, two L.A. guys!

I love talking about who'll be the next king of L.A., guys who may be worthy of putting on the P&G and carrying this city for a decade. Too easy to talk about established guys like Durant and Lebron. I'd rather beat them.

[Sofa King]

Dreaming about Kyrie on the Lakers is a pipedream (whoa, haven't use that word in a longer time.) Imagine the Lebron-style backlash if Kyrie did sign with the Lakers when he becomes a free agent.

Mitch did say that Jerry West always tried to go out there and get the best. When given the opportunity, Mitch will at least inquire.

[soxfan2003]

I am in the Kobie is moderately overrated camp but I think he wins rather easily in 1 on 1 against pretty much all of the short PG's in the league.

Unlike an nba game, Kobe could take his time and then just score over him real close to the post. And even get his share of offensive rebounds.

Now if Kobe didn't use his height to his advantage and shot mostly from the perimeter, he could certaily lose but that would be dumb for him to do against a signficantly shorter player.

[Josephpaul]

The big question is Irving going stay healthy

[Anklebreaker702]

Kobe, light him up, then blow him out like candles!

[LocLaker]

kobe would be backing him down and beasting on him on the post with fade away's all day.

[TruSkool]

yeah this is too easy for kobe.

the only thing kyrie has on him is speed.

[EArl]

Kobe broke his hand for showing disrespect