Does the 2015/16 Cleveland Cavaliers still win NBA Finals with Kyrie replaced by PRIME KYLE LOWRY

EliteSmarts · Post #1 » by **EliteSmarts** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:00 am

This is based on this thread I remember reading a while ago
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1913202

As you see, RealGM poll concluded, 76% prefer Kyle Lowry over Kyrie Irving

So I ask this question, seeing how important Kyrie was in that 2016 NBA Finals. Do you think prime Kyle Lowry would give similiar impact in his own playstyle and Cavs still win the NBA Finals?

harborlight · Post #2 » by **harborlight** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:04 am

Umm...no.

JonFromVA · Post #3 » by **JonFromVA** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:09 am

EliteSmarts wrote:This is based on this thread I remember reading a while ago
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1913202

As you see, RealGM poll concluded, 76% prefer Kyle Lowry over Kyrie Irving

So I ask this question, seeing how important Kyrie was in that 2016 NBA Finals. Do you think prime Kyle Lowry would give similiar impact in his own playstyle and Cavs still win the NBA Finals?

With the 2016 version of Kyle Lowry? Remind me, which injuries was he dealing with that post-season?

If someone (Lowry, or literally any half competent PG) could have kept the Cavs in games when LeBron was sitting; the benefit could have potentially been huge.

Synciere · Post #4 » by **Synciere** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:10 am

No. Playoffs are much more dependent on the guys who can get their own bucket. Lowry doesn’t hit that 3 off the dribble in Game 7 like Kyrie. They may have been a better regular season team, but not a better Finals team.

Post #5 » by **og15** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:18 am

Synciere wrote:No. Playoffs are much more dependent on the guys who can get their own bucket. Lowry doesn’t hit that 3 off the dribble in Game 7 like Kyrie. They may have been a better regular season team, but not a better Finals team.

Why would all the games still play out the same way? That makes no sense, that's not how life works.

The question is impossible to answer. Could they still win, sure, but they won in 7 games and won game 7 by 4 points, that's a 50/50 series. They could play that series again and lose, so can't really say who would win if you just plug in another player.

goodboys lats · Post #6 » by **goodboys lats** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:19 am

Lowry actually plays defense. The gap between Kyle and Kyrie's offense isn't as big as the gap in Kyle and Kyrie's defense, so yes, probably both.

EliteSmarts · Post #7 » by **EliteSmarts** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:22 am

JonFromVA wrote:
EliteSmarts wrote:This is based on this thread I remember reading a while ago
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1913202

As you see, RealGM poll concluded, 76% prefer Kyle Lowry over Kyrie Irving

So I ask this question, seeing how important Kyrie was in that 2016 NBA Finals. Do you think prime Kyle Lowry would give similiar impact in his own playstyle and Cavs still win the NBA Finals?

With the 2016 version of Kyle Lowry? Remind me, which injuries was he dealing with that post-season?

If someone (Lowry, or literally any half competent PG) could have kept the Cavs in games when LeBron was sitting; the benefit could have potentially been huge.

I don't remember Kyle Lowry dealing with any serious injury through that playoff run, minor injury at most.

DarkXaero · Post #8 » by **DarkXaero** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:22 am

Hell no, Kyrie put up one of the historically great finals performances as a #2 option against the league MVP.

art_tatum · Post #9 » by **art_tatum** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:24 am

Lol those who voted Lowry. Check the stats of kyrie after the 0-2 start (avg 30+ points) and how he almost single handily turned around that 3-1 series (since Lebron was playing consistently throughout- except for game 2 and another one).

He single handily went through the warriors defense, iggy klay none of them could stop kyrie one on one when the cavs needed a bucket with the warriors D set

MrBigShot · Post #10 » by **MrBigShot** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:27 am

I said yes initially but on second thought I'm not sure. Not because Lowry wasn't a terrific player at his peak, but because Kyrie went absolutely nuts in the finals. 27/4/4 on 47/40/94 shooting splits.

AussieCeltic · Post #11 » by **AussieCeltic** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:37 am

Why do people have these hypothetical questions? You’re always going to be split and everyone is going to think their side is right but the brilliant part is - no one can prove you wrong either way.

dygaction · Post #12 » by **dygaction** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:44 am

They would have had higher chances the year before and the year after, but I doubt 2016, Kyrie was just too good for the finals.

BallerTalk · Post #13 » by **BallerTalk** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:51 am

og15 wrote:Why would all the games still play out the same way? That makes no sense, that's not how life works.
....

Because that's the only way questions like this can exist.

DTP · Post #14 » by **DTP** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:54 am

goodboys lats wrote:Lowry actually plays defense. The gap between Kyle and Kyrie's offense isn't as big as the gap in Kyle and Kyrie's defense, so yes, probably both.

Kyrie isn't some huge liability defensively and Lowry has never been as good as Kyrie. So no.....the answer is no.

stormi · Post #15 » by **stormi** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 2:03 am

Disrespectful thread to Kyrie Irving.

1999 · Post #16 » by **1999** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 2:04 am

Yes, the post says prime Lowry. Lowry played great in the finals with Toronto.

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nesta · Post #17 » by **nesta** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 2:04 am

Maybe no but they would win 2015 finals with Lowry, Lebron, and no Love.

Karate Diop · Post #18 » by **Karate Diop** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 2:05 am

No. Lowry the type of dude who just want to launch bricks from three when the going gets tough.

Tor_Raps · Post #19 » by **Tor_Raps** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 2:10 am

I have always considered Lowry the better overall player but Kyrie was a perfect compliment to Lebron due to his big shot making. Lebron already does most of what Lowry does but MUCH better so it's easy to see how Kyrie is the right answer here.

However, you put Kyrie on those Demar/Lowry teams and we struggle to make the playoffs. Lowry raises the level of everyone around him while Kyrie just does his own thing even if it's at an elite level.

EliteSmarts · Post #20 » by **EliteSmarts** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 2:13 am

AussieCeltic wrote:Why do people have these hypothetical questions? You’re always going to be split and everyone is going to think their side is right but the brilliant part is - no one can prove you wrong either way.

It makes for good conversation my dude.

Sidenote: How popular is NBA in Australia? I seen decent amount of Australian NBA fans on YouTube which surprised me.

Would 2016 Cavs still have won NBA finals with Kyrie being replaced by prime Kyle Lowry