2019 Kyrie Irving thread

[Jim Naismith]

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[GSP]

Hes been incredible after cutting his hair. 2nd best Pg after Steph this season

[damedash09]

He's fun to watch

Incredibly skilled

[Pelly24]

Last year, in 60 games, he had a game score of 20 or more 26 times. This year he's at 21 already after this game. Way more consistent this year after a rought first 6 games.

[Gooner]

He is becomeing more agressive, and that's necessary for his team. When he wants to be, he is absoultely unstoppable. His offensive package is unmatched.

[Ascrilas]

This is the first year where I'm comfortable to call him a Top 10 player. For many years, his raw numbers have been bigger than his actual impact imo, but as a life-long Kyrie sceptic, I have to give him props. He always was an elite scorer and I think if he were in another system, he could easily average close to 30 PPG on 60% TS (he's at 26.0 PTS/36 on .604 TS% this year - last year was 27.3 PTS/36 on .610 TS%), especially if he were on a team which gives their stars heavier minutes. But his playmaking and defense have improved leaps and bounds, even more than the pure stats. He's actually a plus on defense now. While still going hero mode sometimes, he plays better within the flow of the offense and always looks for his teammates.

All his advanced numbers are absoluteliy elite this year. 8th in BPM, 6th in RPM, 11th in RAPM, 9th in WS/48. And he's been on an absolute tear lately, I think these numbers are bound to even improve.

[Jaqua92]

This is the first year where I'm comfortable to call him a Top 10 player. For many years, his raw numbers have been bigger than his actual impact imo, but as a life-long Kyrie sceptic, I have to give him props. He always was an elite scorer and I think if he were in another system, he could easily average close to 30 PPG on 60% TS (he's at 26.0 PTS/36 on .604 TS% this year - last year was 27.3 PTS/36 on .610 TS%), especially if he were on a team which gives their stars heavier minutes. But his playmaking and defense have improved leaps and bounds, even more than the pure stats. He's actually a plus on defense now. While still going hero mode sometimes, he plays better within the flow of the offense and always looks for his teammates.

All his advanced numbers are absoluteliy elite this year. 8th in BPM, 6th in RPM, 11th in RAPM, 9th in WS/48. And he's been on an absolute tear lately, I think these numbers are bound to even improve.

This

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[Jaivl]

IDK about top 10 because the opposition is so good, but this is the first year I think he is in that convo.

[Duke4life831]

I'm not calling Harden a PG. With that said, I think Westbrook has begun to fall back and I think Kyrie has now solidified himself as the 2nd best PG in the game. He is still only 26, there is a good chance by the end of his next contract, he will be the best PG in the league.

[Colbinii]

I'm not calling Harden a PG. With that said, I think Westbrook has begun to fall back and I think Kyrie has now solidified himself as the 2nd best PG in the game. He is still only 26, there is a good chance by the end of his next contract, he will be the best PG in the league.

You don't call Harden a PG?
Do you call GoBert a PF and Jokic a PF?

[ardee]

This is the first year where I'm comfortable to call him a Top 10 player. For many years, his raw numbers have been bigger than his actual impact imo, but as a life-long Kyrie sceptic, I have to give him props. He always was an elite scorer and I think if he were in another system, he could easily average close to 30 PPG on 60% TS (he's at 26.0 PTS/36 on .604 TS% this year - last year was 27.3 PTS/36 on .610 TS%), especially if he were on a team which gives their stars heavier minutes. But his playmaking and defense have improved leaps and bounds, even more than the pure stats. He's actually a plus on defense now. While still going hero mode sometimes, he plays better within the flow of the offense and always looks for his teammates.

All his advanced numbers are absoluteliy elite this year. 8th in BPM, 6th in RPM, 11th in RAPM, 9th in WS/48. And he's been on an absolute tear lately, I think these numbers are bound to even improve.

Top 10?

Out of Giannis, Harden, Davis, Curry, Durant, LeBron, Kawhi, Embiid, George and Jokic, who is he better than?

I don't think you realize how insane 30 ppg on 60% TS is. 7 players have done it: Kareem twice, Curry once, Dantley four times, Harden and Durant twice each, Jordan four times and Malone once.

There is a HUGE difference between 23-24 that Kyrie is doing and 30 ppg.

[Ascrilas]

This is the first year where I'm comfortable to call him a Top 10 player. For many years, his raw numbers have been bigger than his actual impact imo, but as a life-long Kyrie sceptic, I have to give him props. He always was an elite scorer and I think if he were in another system, he could easily average close to 30 PPG on 60% TS (he's at 26.0 PTS/36 on .604 TS% this year - last year was 27.3 PTS/36 on .610 TS%), especially if he were on a team which gives their stars heavier minutes. But his playmaking and defense have improved leaps and bounds, even more than the pure stats. He's actually a plus on defense now. While still going hero mode sometimes, he plays better within the flow of the offense and always looks for his teammates.

All his advanced numbers are absoluteliy elite this year. 8th in BPM, 6th in RPM, 11th in RAPM, 9th in WS/48. And he's been on an absolute tear lately, I think these numbers are bound to even improve.

Top 10?

Out of Giannis, Harden, Davis, Curry, Durant, LeBron, Kawhi, Embiid, George and Jokic, who is he better than?

I don't think you realize how insane 30 ppg on 60% TS is. 7 players have done it: Kareem twice, Curry once, Dantley four times, Harden and Durant twice each, Jordan four times and Malone once.

There is a HUGE difference between 23-24 that Kyrie is doing and 30 ppg.

I didn't say 30 ppg, I said close to 30 ppg. which to me is something around 28-29 PPG. Small but significant difference. Kyrie averages 23-24 points per game because he plays low minutes (32.4 MPG) as everybody does in Boston. He averaged 27.3 points per 36 minutes on 61% TS just last season, what makes you think he couldn't get 1 or 2 more points? If he played in a team with less depth, he'd be at ~35 MPG I'd guess, and with more shots, I think he could get there.

I'd also take Kyrie over Embiid this season pretty easily tbh. The other 9 are better although I'd probably take Irving over George in the playoffs because PG13's post-season scoring is too volatile for me.

[HeartBreakKid]

I'm not calling Harden a PG. With that said, I think Westbrook has begun to fall back and I think Kyrie has now solidified himself as the 2nd best PG in the game. He is still only 26, there is a good chance by the end of his next contract, he will be the best PG in the league.

Who is the Rockets point guard?

[Gooner]

This is the first year where I'm comfortable to call him a Top 10 player. For many years, his raw numbers have been bigger than his actual impact imo, but as a life-long Kyrie sceptic, I have to give him props. He always was an elite scorer and I think if he were in another system, he could easily average close to 30 PPG on 60% TS (he's at 26.0 PTS/36 on .604 TS% this year - last year was 27.3 PTS/36 on .610 TS%), especially if he were on a team which gives their stars heavier minutes. But his playmaking and defense have improved leaps and bounds, even more than the pure stats. He's actually a plus on defense now. While still going hero mode sometimes, he plays better within the flow of the offense and always looks for his teammates.

All his advanced numbers are absoluteliy elite this year. 8th in BPM, 6th in RPM, 11th in RAPM, 9th in WS/48. And he's been on an absolute tear lately, I think these numbers are bound to even improve.

Top 10?

Out of Giannis, Harden, Davis, Curry, Durant, LeBron, Kawhi, Embiid, George and Jokic, who is he better than?

I don't think you realize how insane 30 ppg on 60% TS is. 7 players have done it: Kareem twice, Curry once, Dantley four times, Harden and Durant twice each, Jordan four times and Malone once.

There is a HUGE difference between 23-24 that Kyrie is doing and 30 ppg.

He is better than Jokic for sure, that guy gets overrated because of his passing. He is a great passing big man, but he also has more freedom than any other big man in history, to be that playmaker. Also, this three point shooting era is conducive to getting triple doubles, and he is surrounded by great shooters that shoot from everywhere. I think he is a bit of a system player.

Jokic has too many games where he disappears, and we haven't even seen him tested in the playoffs, unlike Kyrie. He is also weak defensively, weaker than Kyrie, who is better than people think on that end. I'd take Kyrie over some other guys you've mentioned, but Jokic kinda stands out to me, he hasn't proved enough yet.

[Gooner]

This is the first year where I'm comfortable to call him a Top 10 player. For many years, his raw numbers have been bigger than his actual impact imo, but as a life-long Kyrie sceptic, I have to give him props. He always was an elite scorer and I think if he were in another system, he could easily average close to 30 PPG on 60% TS (he's at 26.0 PTS/36 on .604 TS% this year - last year was 27.3 PTS/36 on .610 TS%), especially if he were on a team which gives their stars heavier minutes. But his playmaking and defense have improved leaps and bounds, even more than the pure stats. He's actually a plus on defense now. While still going hero mode sometimes, he plays better within the flow of the offense and always looks for his teammates.

All his advanced numbers are absoluteliy elite this year. 8th in BPM, 6th in RPM, 11th in RAPM, 9th in WS/48. And he's been on an absolute tear lately, I think these numbers are bound to even improve.

Top 10?

Out of Giannis, Harden, Davis, Curry, Durant, LeBron, Kawhi, Embiid, George and Jokic, who is he better than?

I don't think you realize how insane 30 ppg on 60% TS is. 7 players have done it: Kareem twice, Curry once, Dantley four times, Harden and Durant twice each, Jordan four times and Malone once.

There is a HUGE difference between 23-24 that Kyrie is doing and 30 ppg.

I didn't say 30 ppg, I said close to 30 ppg. which to me is something around 28-29 PPG. Small but significant difference. Kyrie averages 23-24 points per game because he plays low minutes (32.4 MPG) as everybody does in Boston. He averaged 27.3 points per 36 minutes on 61% TS just last season, what makes you think he couldn't get 1 or 2 more points? If he played in a team with less depth, he'd be at ~35 MPG I'd guess, and with more shots, I think he could get there.

I'd also take Kyrie over Embiid this season pretty easily tbh. The other 9 are better although I'd probably take Irving over George in the playoffs because PG13's post-season scoring is too volatile for me.

He averages only 23-24, because he plays within the system, and there are other guys that need shots on the team, but he is capable of averaging efficient 30, i agree. He is shooting 50% from the field, which is very rare for a guard, and considering the number of threes he takes, and difficutly of his shots, it's very impressive.

[Jim Naismith]

26 points, 10 assists, 8 steals against Miami

Kyrie is playing at a high level.

[Gooner]

26 points, 10 assists, 8 steals against Miami

Kyrie is playing at a high level.

MVP type level, if his team improves in the standings, which is possible, he'll be in conversation.

[Repeat 3-peat]

He's starting to evolve into a MVP caliber player.

[E-Balla]

Yeah I've never been super big on Kyrie but he's on a new level right now. Playing like this he'll be an MVP candidate soon.

[Jim Naismith]

32/4/10 with 2 steals in loss against Warriors

Looked equal to Durant and Curry.

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