ecuhus1981 wrote:<bump>
So, Kyrie Irving is now allowed to practice with the team at our home facility. Considering how little teams practice on the road, this certainly improves the outlook of integrating our native son back into the team.
How do you feel about this ruling?
I thought NYC's mandate said he couldn't practice with the team...? Anyway, sounds like I'm either wrong, or there's been an update. Well, then... good!
But I'm starting to think that a '40% available Kyrie' could actually work out quite well for the team. Here's why:
- Kyrie almost always misses a chunk of the season, so in a way, this wouldn't really be all that different.
- Getting more rest tends to benefit any true competitor, including not getting injured as often.
- The guard rotation gets significantly more rest on the road than otherwise.
- Team culture will hopefully be okay, since his coaches & staff see a guy (who, although troubled in mind) still competes as best he can. Teammates regularly have to do this anyway when it comes to superstars bringing guns in to the locker room, teammates hooked on strip clubs, teammates clearly off their rocker, etc, etc.
Point is-- there's almost always player issues, and every team tends to either let that hammer away at themselves collectively or else make lemonade out of all that. Plus, Kyrie really does seem to be a positive locker room presence, so there's that, too. Like, this isn't some prima donna* superstar who everyone despises behind their back, here.
* "Pre-Madonna" for the Millennials