penbeast0 wrote:Murray had a great run in their title year, better than an average Kyrie year and with the exception of last year, has been a playoff riser.
In 2019, Kyrie was bad in the playoffs for Boston
In 2020, he was refusing to play for non-basketball reasons
21 and 22, Denver lost badly in the 1st and 2nd round. I don't think Kyrie is enough to change that to a title.
In 2023, Kyrie didn't make the playoffs, though he played well for Dallas. Still, I wouldn't assume he would have the kind of year that Jamal Murray had but he's a better player usually so there's a chance they still win that title.
In 2024, Denver lost to the TWolves 4-3, who then lost to the Mavs. Murray was bad, so Kyrie may be enough to get them past Minnesota but hard to assume they'd beat Dallas (though without Kyrie in Dallas . . . ok, if we count Dallas as weaker then yeah, on the other hand someone else probably makes the WCF is Luca has no second star) and Boston.
So, 0-2 titles, call it one, maybe zero. More is unlikely.
2019: Just because he played poorly in Boston doesn't mean he plays poorly in Denver. Completely different scenarios. Still they wouldn't have had much of a chance this year.
2020: Fair.
2021-2022: You think it won't make an extremely substantial difference to not have your 2nd option missing?
2023: Most likely nothing changes. Denver was fairly comfortable most of the playoffs.
2024: Bad would be an understatement. I do think they have a chance against the Celtics simply because they matchup a lot better.