[BouncyBallParticipant]

 When I think of Kyrie, I picture a solid point guard who will probably make a couple all-star appearances down the road.  But I was talking to a friend earlier and they bassically said he will be the best Point Guard in the NBA in a few years and is a sure-fire MVP.  I thought there was no way this would happen with all the elite pg’s in the league today but it caught my interest.  So I started to compare some of Kyrie’s stats to some of today’s elite pg rookie seasons.  Well, in the 2008-2009 season Derrick Rose averaged 16.8pts, 6.3 assists and 3.9 rebs in 37 minutes of action.  Kyrie on the other hand, is 17.7pts, 5.2assists and 3.5rebs in 28 minutes.  Their stats are shockingly close, while Kyrie is playing ten minutes less per game ther Rose did.  You could argue that Cleveland is total garbage so Irving gets alot of touches and Chicago was solid but the Bulls finished 08 with a record of 41-41 while this years cavs are 6-7 at the moment.  These teams couldn’t have been that far off in terms of talent with such close records, even this early in the season.  

What do you guys think about Kyrie?  Will he be as good as some believe, or will he just be another "pretty good" player?

[Jlv2011]

for a rookie.

[Maniac MaciejParticipant]

Comparing their rookie stats is nice and all, but…that doesn’t really account for the difference in each player’s potential for growth.

Irving’s definitely off to a great start, but my guess is that he’s got more of a Rajon Rondo/Tony Parker ceiling than a Derrick Rose/Chris Paul ceiling. 

[M-DYMESParticipant]

D-Roses’ jump from his rookie to sophomore season was phenomenal IMO.  Their rookie stats may be similar but for Kyrie to reach D-Rose’s level, he needs to make a similar jump next year.  It’s not just statistically speaking either.  Its about leadership, awareness, and the ability to operate and run a team.  D-Rose is the clear leader on that Chicago Bull squad.  Kyrie needs to become that type of leader for Cleveland even once they add more talent in the future.

[yaboymalParticipant]

 jlv2011 are you on drugs? 17.7 pts 5.2 assists in 28 minutes thats good if not great for a rookie that comes into the nba with limited practices and experience due to the lockout.  Bottom line is kyrie is going to be a really good player and he has a high ceiling in my eyes, you really cant teach his feel for the game.

[benjo34]

 He’s very good but i dont think that he can carry Cavs to something big..atleast not alone..Man i wish that OKC could have him 🙂

[thparadoxParticipant]

 

He’s a similar model to CP3. Irving probably doesn’t have quite as much strength and stealing ability. But otherwise it’s a good comparison.

Also, Irving is having a much better rookie season than Rose had. He’s shooting the ball really well.

[KDThunder35Participant]

 I agree with yaboymal.  The kids’ feel for the game is unbelievable.  He rarely takes bad shots as he takes what the defense gives him instead of forcing the action (which is really astonishing for a rookie pg).  He has a lot of poise and moxy for someone 19 years old.  

Byron Scott needs to play this kid more than 28 minutes a game.  I mean come on man, he is shooting close to 50% a game for a 1st year point guard.  Any point guard shooting 50% is ridiculous and this kid is doing it at 19 years old in his first year in the league.

This is a bold statement, but I think ball handling wise he is only behind Chris Paul in the NBA.  D-Rose, Westbrook and Wall are going to get by more people because they are faster, not because they handle the ball better.  I watch Cleveland all the time on TV as I get their FSN network games, and this kid will not have the ball picked from him.  He also gets in the lane at will.  I love watching Kyrie play, he plays the right way (getting teammates involved and not forcing the action).

[So raspyParticipant]

Nobody can carry any team to something big by themselves besides LeBron when he was in Cleveland. But Kyrie is already better than alot of starting point gaurds in the league imo. He’s got the yo-yo handle, good passing instincts, and unlike rondo or parker, he has a nice jumper. He’ll only get better once the cavs surround him with more talent. Hard to predict future MVP’s, but i wouldn’t be suprised if he had some seasons where he was a candidate.

[PabloFiascoParticipant]

Kyrie has done much better than I thought. He’s living up to his #1 pick billing…I don’t see him becoming the MVP anytime soon not if the Cav’s put some good pieces around him

[WizardofOzParticipant]

 He’s the next Chris Paul. He’ll be a top 3 PG in his prime. He’s THAT good.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

It’s already good now. He is not as athletic in terms of strength and hops as Rose. Irving is pretty young. I think by the time he can legally drink he will be in the same discussion as all the top PG’s. Looking at the numbers he is putting up and given his age and limited minutes. Irving could be scary in a year or two.

[RafterParticipant]

Irving’s efficiency is through the roof for a rookie guard 486%FG, 382%3PT and 843%FT. When you consider how much he played in college, it’s even more extraordinary.

Byron Scott is taking great care of Irving, he’s had Chris Paul under his wing, on a personal level, Paul probably doesn’t like Scott as he’s not that kind of coach but professionally, he respects him and that is very clear. Back to Irving, he’s being ‘groomed’ to be the Cavs’ star, playing him less minutes keeps him hungry and makes it abundantly clear, he needs to work for everything and nothing will be given to him.

Let’s not forget Irving is pretty much a college player in terms of his development, i don’t mean he isn’t good enough, clearly he is but he played so little games in college that he is behind. I can tell from watching when play stops, he gets excited very easily and eventhough his ability is beyond his age, he still acts like a kid, he hasn’t played a full season in college where he could still be that kid on the floor and it shows what that missed time does from a mental standpoint. I don’t really blame him since it’s natural for him to act like that but it comes accross as a little naive, he’s now a pro, he’s the number one pick, he needs to act like it.

Scott knows how good he is and how good he can be, playing Sessions keeps Irving on his toes and aids his developmet further. Scott is making sure when he decides to give Irving the keys, he’ll be ready and won’t buckle under the pressure and expectations, Scott will know the right time to cut Irving loose. Despite the strength of his position, i can see him as a perennial allstar, maybe not the ballhawk Paul is, but he’ll be a better shooter. A real phenom that could make fans forget about LeBron.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 Nash won 2 MVP while probably being one of worst athletes at his position…..Pgs dont need to be athletic freaks but it certainly does help but I rather have Kyrie find a wide open lay up then have D-Rose doing a double clutch crazy lay up threw the lane over a center even though thats really impressive ….Kyrie could easily become a top 5 pg and I wouldnt be suprised if he becomes the top pg in the league

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