[NJHooper95Participant]

Where are all the Kyrie Haters? This guy has been great throughtout the playoffs and only a few posters have mentioned him. However as soon as he has a subpar game the anti-Kyrie committee comes out with John Wall is better, Kyrie is a ball-hog, he is only good for an and1 mix tape, etc, etc.

I say this, the boy is the real deal!!! Is he a great passer? No. Great defender? No. But he is as gifted a scorer as we have in the league right now. He has abused the MVP at every given opportunity. Best guard in the East hands down. So you guys take John wall and Lowry and Isiah Thomas, give me Irving all day and he will light all of those players up. 

I would love for him to get more assists, but that’s not who he is, and he has shown he can atleast be a serviceable defender when committed. Nevertheless, hell of a game by Irving and King James. 

[IlladelphParticipant]

It’s kinda like all the critics last year and throughout the season saying that the Warriors only won last year because Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love were injured.  Now this year, suddenly it’s like… crickets.  

Kyrie is the focus of serious hate, since he is for whatever reason viewed as a "chucker" who never passes.  But after last night, I suspect we’re going to hear crickets again…

It would be cool if people could just watch the games and enjoy them instead of feeling the need to attack and (unfairly) ridicule some of the best players in the game.

[IlladelphParticipant]

It’s kinda like all the critics last year and throughout the season saying that the Warriors only won last year because Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love were injured.  Now this year, suddenly it’s like… crickets.  

Kyrie is the focus of serious hate, since he is for whatever reason viewed as a "chucker" who never passes.  But after last night, I suspect we’re going to hear crickets again…

It would be cool if people could just watch the games and enjoy them instead of feeling the need to attack and (unfairly) ridicule some of the best players in the game.

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

If were basing Kyrie off his game 5 performance, obviously he is a top of the line NBA star.

Rewind to game 4, and he’s probably the biggest reason they lost.

Can we stop with the knee jerk reactions and admiring a tiny sample size, consistency is what were looking for.

 

 

  

[Pro-21Participant]

 Kyrie Irving was literally the only reason the game was close in the first place. He had 17 points in the first half compared to LeBron’s anemic 3 points. He scored 12 points on over 50% shooting in the third quarter when no one else wanted the ball. He flat-out balled while making Curry work for everything, before he became too tired and LeBron failed to step-up in the fourth quarter. Consistency? Is this not his third straight game torching the league’s best defense for 30 points or more? Is he not averaging 25 ppg 5 assists 2.5 turnovers on 48% from the field and 45% from three throughout the playoffs, you know, the most important part of basketball? Has he not outplayed all of the point guards in front of him, including the two-time league MVP? 

[Pro-21Participant]

 Kyrie Irving was literally the only reason the game was close in the first place. He had 17 points in the first half compared to LeBron’s anemic 3 points. He scored 12 points on over 50% shooting in the third quarter when no one else wanted the ball. He flat-out balled while making Curry work for everything, before he became too tired and LeBron failed to step-up in the fourth quarter. Consistency? Is this not his third straight game torching the league’s best defense for 30 points or more? Is he not averaging 25 ppg 5 assists 2.5 turnovers on 48% from the field and 45% from three throughout the playoffs, you know, the most important part of basketball? Has he not outplayed all of the point guards in front of him, including the two-time league MVP? 

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

If were basing Kyrie off his game 5 performance, obviously he is a top of the line NBA star.

Rewind to game 4, and he’s probably the biggest reason they lost.

Can we stop with the knee jerk reactions and admiring a tiny sample size, consistency is what were looking for.

 

 

  

[901GrizzParticipant]

If LBJ takes a lot of shots and misses he’s playing ‘Hero Ball.’ If he tries to get his teammates involved and doesn’t take a lot of shots he’s being too passive. Commentators/fans always want you to be something else when you lose. That’s reality. Wilbon said Irving played the most selfish basketball he’s seen after game 4 even tho he shot something like 14-28, pretty good % in my book. In general people want a pass first point guard, unless your name is Steph Curry, right? Lots of double standards in this league. OKC loses their series and Stephen A. says the Thunder can’t continue with Westbrook as their PG. That’s the most obsurd thing I’ve ever heard. You lose and people will overreact. Irving is playing well so the haters are quiet. 

[901GrizzParticipant]

If LBJ takes a lot of shots and misses he’s playing ‘Hero Ball.’ If he tries to get his teammates involved and doesn’t take a lot of shots he’s being too passive. Commentators/fans always want you to be something else when you lose. That’s reality. Wilbon said Irving played the most selfish basketball he’s seen after game 4 even tho he shot something like 14-28, pretty good % in my book. In general people want a pass first point guard, unless your name is Steph Curry, right? Lots of double standards in this league. OKC loses their series and Stephen A. says the Thunder can’t continue with Westbrook as their PG. That’s the most obsurd thing I’ve ever heard. You lose and people will overreact. Irving is playing well so the haters are quiet. 

[NJHooper95Participant]

They would have never been in game 4 if not for Kyrie. He was 11-18 going Into the 4th and finished the game shooting 50pct from the field. Not to mention he has been pretty stellar throughout the entire playoffs. Kyrie has been the example of consistency. Three bad games through the 4 subpar games out of 20 isn’t bad

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

It was his piss poor shot selection in the fourth quarter and his ball stopping nature that lead to those awful shots that cost the Cavs a chance to win.  He’s a great player.  What are you trying to argue??? 

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

It was his piss poor shot selection in the fourth quarter and his ball stopping nature that lead to those awful shots that cost the Cavs a chance to win.  He’s a great player.  What are you trying to argue??? 

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

pretty good in the 1st 3 quarters, then when he went to Kyrie HERO BALL and tried to force shots and stop the movement the Cavs fell apart. IE the reason they lost. 

[top prospectParticipant]

how now body talks about LBJ when the Cavs loose. His 4th quarter performances in games 4 and 5 are everything but KING like. He is the ultimate 4th quarter ball stopper and his decision making is poor at best. Kyrie is the man point blank.

[top prospectParticipant]

how now body talks about LBJ when the Cavs loose. His 4th quarter performances in games 4 and 5 are everything but KING like. He is the ultimate 4th quarter ball stopper and his decision making is poor at best. Kyrie is the man point blank.

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

pretty good in the 1st 3 quarters, then when he went to Kyrie HERO BALL and tried to force shots and stop the movement the Cavs fell apart. IE the reason they lost. 

[NJHooper95Participant]

They would have never been in game 4 if not for Kyrie. He was 11-18 going Into the 4th and finished the game shooting 50pct from the field. Not to mention he has been pretty stellar throughout the entire playoffs. Kyrie has been the example of consistency. Three bad games through the 4 subpar games out of 20 isn’t bad

[NJHooper95Participant]

 The point im arguing is that the hate is quick to come, but the praise never arrives for Irving. 

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

is pretty much widely regarded as an unanimous top 5 PG in the league.  I don’t know where you’re arguing he gets no praisae.  Last year people were saying his injury cost the Cavs a shot at the title.  It’s obvious you’re a fanboy of his, he gets his due when he plays well and he gets criticized when he doesn’t, like everyone else.

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

is pretty much widely regarded as an unanimous top 5 PG in the league.  I don’t know where you’re arguing he gets no praisae.  Last year people were saying his injury cost the Cavs a shot at the title.  It’s obvious you’re a fanboy of his, he gets his due when he plays well and he gets criticized when he doesn’t, like everyone else.

[NJHooper95Participant]

 The point im arguing is that the hate is quick to come, but the praise never arrives for Irving. 

[SubZeroParticipant]

I’d honestly still pick John Wall from the East (although he’s my favorite player so people might disagree lol), but I’ve been a fan of Kyrie’s ever since I saw his mixtapes in high school. I dont think you can win with him if he’s your primary playmaker, but he’s in the perfect situation for him and he’s killing right now. Definitely been busting Steph’s hump recently

[SubZeroParticipant]

I’d honestly still pick John Wall from the East (although he’s my favorite player so people might disagree lol), but I’ve been a fan of Kyrie’s ever since I saw his mixtapes in high school. I dont think you can win with him if he’s your primary playmaker, but he’s in the perfect situation for him and he’s killing right now. Definitely been busting Steph’s hump recently

[NJHooper95Participant]

 Wall is the better playmaker than Irving , but if you needed 30 pts to win Iriving is more likely to get you that than Wall.  And no disrespect to wall, he is what a point guard is suppose to be a playmaker, but in today’s in NBA your pg has to be able to fill it up ala Curry, , Lillard, Westbrook and others, like I said I don’t see Wall giving you buckets if you depended on him to and that’s ok, every player brings a different strength to the table.

[SubZeroParticipant]

Yeah no doubt Irving is one of the best scorers in the game, I just think Wall does more for you. He’s a great defender, athletic (probably the fastest end to end guy in the league), can rebound and pass with the best of them, and is a winner. .

You can’t go wrong with either, really. The depth at PG the league has right now is crazy

[SubZeroParticipant]

Yeah no doubt Irving is one of the best scorers in the game, I just think Wall does more for you. He’s a great defender, athletic (probably the fastest end to end guy in the league), can rebound and pass with the best of them, and is a winner. .

You can’t go wrong with either, really. The depth at PG the league has right now is crazy

[NJHooper95Participant]

 Wall is the better playmaker than Irving , but if you needed 30 pts to win Iriving is more likely to get you that than Wall.  And no disrespect to wall, he is what a point guard is suppose to be a playmaker, but in today’s in NBA your pg has to be able to fill it up ala Curry, , Lillard, Westbrook and others, like I said I don’t see Wall giving you buckets if you depended on him to and that’s ok, every player brings a different strength to the table.

[halfdecayedParticipant]

 the hell’s up with you using a justin bieber profile pic

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

Life is worth living. 

[J-rueMykelParticipant]

Life is worth living. 

[halfdecayedParticipant]

 the hell’s up with you using a justin bieber profile pic

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

When Irving gets on a roll offensivley, he’s proven he’s as tough to stop as it gets. 

That said, his shot selection is atrocious and it doesn’t matter if the shots are going in or not, he’s a chucker. I’ve seen him dribble around for an enitre shot clock, cross over three times in a row and take a fadeaway jumper. If that isn’t the definition of a chucker for everyone, we’re going to disagree a lot. 

He was incredible last night. But if you wanted to hear from the "haters", here ya go. He’s an incredible 1 on 1 scorer. Maybe one of the 3 to 5 best in the league. But his scoring does not come in the flow of the offense and he doesn’t make his teammates better. 

He’s a good scorer. He can shoot and he’s an incredible finisher. He’s not a team-oriented basketball player, he doesnt defend, and even when the shots go in, the shots he is taking are typically classified as bad shots. 

The OP said it himself. He’s as gifted a scorer as there is. But beyond that, he doesn’t give a team much. That, in my opinion, takes him out of the running for best guard in the East. Take LeBron out of the equation and put a league average SF in that spot, and Irving isn’t elevating that team anywhere. 

 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

When Irving gets on a roll offensivley, he’s proven he’s as tough to stop as it gets. 

That said, his shot selection is atrocious and it doesn’t matter if the shots are going in or not, he’s a chucker. I’ve seen him dribble around for an enitre shot clock, cross over three times in a row and take a fadeaway jumper. If that isn’t the definition of a chucker for everyone, we’re going to disagree a lot. 

He was incredible last night. But if you wanted to hear from the "haters", here ya go. He’s an incredible 1 on 1 scorer. Maybe one of the 3 to 5 best in the league. But his scoring does not come in the flow of the offense and he doesn’t make his teammates better. 

He’s a good scorer. He can shoot and he’s an incredible finisher. He’s not a team-oriented basketball player, he doesnt defend, and even when the shots go in, the shots he is taking are typically classified as bad shots. 

The OP said it himself. He’s as gifted a scorer as there is. But beyond that, he doesn’t give a team much. That, in my opinion, takes him out of the running for best guard in the East. Take LeBron out of the equation and put a league average SF in that spot, and Irving isn’t elevating that team anywhere. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Pro-21Participant]

 I think the cavs could still be a top 5 team in the east. "Well rounded" players like John Wall can still miss the playoffs if they don’t have a good team, as evidenced by this season. But Kyrie on the celtics instead of Isaiah Thomas (all star) against the hawks and they probably bring that series home. No one is stopping this guy from efficiently getting 25-30 ppg in a playoff series. 

Kyrie has the tendency to pound the ball quite a bit and that is bad at times, but statistically, he actually passes the ball more often than Steph. Curry and a few other elite point guards. I say that to say that he doesn’t "chuck" any more than any other top tier point guard (besides westbrook),  except when he does shoot a lot, he does it more efficiently than most by far.

 

[Pro-21Participant]

 I think the cavs could still be a top 5 team in the east. "Well rounded" players like John Wall can still miss the playoffs if they don’t have a good team, as evidenced by this season. But Kyrie on the celtics instead of Isaiah Thomas (all star) against the hawks and they probably bring that series home. No one is stopping this guy from efficiently getting 25-30 ppg in a playoff series. 

Kyrie has the tendency to pound the ball quite a bit and that is bad at times, but statistically, he actually passes the ball more often than Steph. Curry and a few other elite point guards. I say that to say that he doesn’t "chuck" any more than any other top tier point guard (besides westbrook),  except when he does shoot a lot, he does it more efficiently than most by far.

 

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

Kyrie plays at a time where ball-movement and player movement are praised more than ever. Mainly because of the Spurs and Warriors, and who can argue with the results?

If he played in the early 2000s though, where ISO ball was at its peak, I don’t think people would mind his playing style. You had guys like T-Mac, Iverson, Carter, Marbury getting isolation plays possession after possession but it wasn’t that big of a deal because there was no team then like our Spurs now where there is crazy player movement, and thus nothing to compare and bash isolation ball on.

Imagine if Kyrie played for AI’s Sixers team back then, he’d be licking his chops. I’m not saying he would achieve the same success as AI, but it would be fun to watch him play with AI’s freedom then, where he won’t be bashed for playing isolation, and won’t have to share possessions with anyone. 

 

 

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

Kyrie plays at a time where ball-movement and player movement are praised more than ever. Mainly because of the Spurs and Warriors, and who can argue with the results?

If he played in the early 2000s though, where ISO ball was at its peak, I don’t think people would mind his playing style. You had guys like T-Mac, Iverson, Carter, Marbury getting isolation plays possession after possession but it wasn’t that big of a deal because there was no team then like our Spurs now where there is crazy player movement, and thus nothing to compare and bash isolation ball on.

Imagine if Kyrie played for AI’s Sixers team back then, he’d be licking his chops. I’m not saying he would achieve the same success as AI, but it would be fun to watch him play with AI’s freedom then, where he won’t be bashed for playing isolation, and won’t have to share possessions with anyone. 

 

 

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