You think a guy with an ego as big as him would sit out a game like this?Has to be the favorite on the board for a load management game
You think a guy with an ego as big as him would sit out a game like this?Has to be the favorite on the board for a load management game
I don't remember Kyrie harping on his teammates as much in 2017-18. Maybe that was because everyone was in shock because of GH's injury and there weren't many expectations at the time. Then at crunch time, Kyrie was unable to play and thus he was out of the equation.I love Ainge but that’s maybe a bit 4D chess even for him. Kyrie wasn’t really like this in 2017-2018, or so it seemed anyway. My guess is that Ainge was really hoping Kyrie would pull it together last year and it just kept spiraling. Once it became obvious that wasn’t happening, I think the issue raised by some here—replacing Kyrie’s talent in case he left rather than asking whether we actually needed to—became Ainge’s main focus.
So far so good tho.
Remember how Rondo used to raise his level of play for nationally televised games? I’m expecting a similar dynamic for Kyrie for his first game against Boston. I think he will have a monster game but I don’t think he can beat this Celtics team by himself. Maybe my initial impulse is wrong and instead he will have 12 points while shooting 20% for the game along with 7 turnovers in a big loss.You think a guy with an ego as big as him would sit out a game like this?
I mean, he could do it for a game, probably. He didn't do it alone, but this is kind of what he brought in Game 1 against MIL last year. It's not that he can't be The Man on the court. It's that he can't be that guy in any kind of sustainable way. He lacks the size to drive consistently through traffic and bigs and absorb that kind of contact. He's doesn't have the defensive ability to impact the other end of the court -- the delta between him guarding Giannis in that series and Smarf last night is, like, Grand Canyon-esque. And, say what you will about Lebron, but his leadership qualities are significantly better than Kyrie's.I don’t think he can beat this Celtics team by himself.
Can totally see Kyrie sitting and the Nets looking great without him.Has to be the favorite on the board for a load management game
If Ainge knew Kyrie would have been shipped to the Knicks.Ainge is no dummy. He had to realize by midseason last year that Mr. Chemistry was part of the problem, not part of the solution. I now wonder whether all those "talks" about him re-signing were mostly Ainge saying, "nahhh, not now," knowing full-well that it was really "never" from his side, regardless of what the player wanted.
I agree. My theory was that it wasn't until last year that Ainge resolved to not sign him.I love Ainge but that’s maybe a bit 4D chess even for him. Kyrie wasn’t really like this in 2017-2018, or so it seemed anyway. My guess is that Ainge was really hoping Kyrie would pull it together last year and it just kept spiraling. Once it became obvious that wasn’t happening, I think the issue raised by some here—replacing Kyrie’s talent in case he left rather than asking whether we actually needed to—became Ainge’s main focus.
So far so good tho.
Could be. But at the same time, Ainge was also grappling with the "problem" of still trying to win last year, and it's not irrational to think both that: 1)we need him this year to have any chance; but 2) NFW I'm signing him long-term.If Ainge knew Kyrie would have been shipped to the Knicks.
Maybe. Or maybe he was just staying in the hunt just to keep the Lakers honest and not miss an opportunity.Ainge thought he was getting AD.
I have to think Jaylen will want the Kyrie assignment. It's been said before but imagine being an actually intelligent and thoughtful guy like him and having to put up with Kyrie's faux-intellectual BS night after night while at the same time Irving is inserting himself as option A on the floor for a team that already went to game 7 of a conference final the year before without him.I would pay anything to watch Marcus Smart do to Kyrie what he did to Giannis last night.
Forget the games. Imagine flying all over the country, on airplanes, on the bus, at the hotel, at practice constantly stuck listening to it.I have to think Jaylen will want the Kyrie assignment. It's been said before but imagine being an actually intelligent and thoughtful guy like him and having to put up with Kyrie's faux-intellectual BS night after night while at the same time Irving is inserting himself as option A on the floor for a team that already went to game 7 of a conference final the year before without him.
Seems like it could be a relief when he does stop talking to his teammates.Forget the games. Imagine flying all over the country, on airplanes, on the bus, at the hotel, at practice constantly stuck listening to it.
Agree with all of this!I have to think Jaylen will want the Kyrie assignment. It's been said before but imagine being an actually intelligent and thoughtful guy like him and having to put up with Kyrie's faux-intellectual BS night after night while at the same time Irving is inserting himself as option A on the floor for a team that already went to game 7 of a conference final the year before without him.
In the NBA, it’s hard to manage a game when you’re trading baskets. Like, it’s one of the most difficult things to do in the game, when you go up by five, then you give up a three, a two, fouls, slowing the game down.
This pic is an obvious candidate for putting JMOH head on top of Kyrie's.
I imagine Tatum would love to play against him as well.. regardless they’re going to play team D on him.Forget the games. Imagine flying all over the country, on airplanes, on the bus, at the hotel, at practice constantly stuck listening to it.
Plausible deniability is a hell of a drug.Nets are 1-3, but Mr. Chemistry is lighting it up with 35.3/6.3/6.0 averages through 4 games. Maybe this is what he always wanted?
This is exactly what happened with the Celtics last year. Irving wanted to play outside of the system. His idea of running a play in the final seconds was just get him the ball and let him see what he could do. Then he showed he wasn't afraid of chewing you out in front of everyone if he didn't get the last shot ... good riddance indeed."Kenny Atkinson on Nets offense: “We’re not really running anything.. we’ve kinda lost a little bit of our structure and organization.”
Interesting take. I can see it.The Nets hoped, or are still hoping they would get a honeymoon year or two before Kyrie started Kyrieing. I thought Kyrie may be what we call a "three teamer" a stubborn guy with attitude problems that, by the his third team figures out some of it, at least is him. Most guys get it the 2nd team. Really common in college. where guys accept their role after transferring, but it is tough to accept it where you were first recruited.
How soon us baldies forget what a bad hair day can do to ones psyche.That was amazing. As amazing as this Kyrie situation. He's really unimpressive in every way, except in his ability to score on the court. His stance on keeping his hat on is just weird.
Brooklyn won, but Kyrie only scored 22. Wonder if he's bummed out.Up on Houston in the 3rd---6 turnovers so far. Outside shot at a quadruple double if this keeps up.
Admittedly, I do not relate. I never liked wearing a hat, hair or not.How soon us baldies forget what a bad hair day can do to ones psyche.
Only happening if Durant wants it. Kyrie doesn't have firing and hiring power imo.Nets-Pistons was the first I've seen of Mr C. this season. Granted, it was a back to back on the road, but he did not pretend to give any defensive effort. None of the Nets did, just low effort, low energy all around. The O/U is 43.5 but they look like a 30 win team.
What is the O/U on how many games till Atkinson is fired?
There's a new interview by Joe Vardon in the Athletic. I don't have a subscription, but here's one summary:Any good post game quotes? This thread needs quotes from Mr C after each loss, especially when they blow a 14 point lead
Every word is gold.Irving of course has apologized for his lapses in leadership while in Boston. The experience seems to have made him more thoughtful about the challenge.
I'm not sure what the problem is. Mr. C had a triple double.Nets blow a 14 point second half lead to a terminally mediocre Detroit team. Mr. Chemistry puts up 20 points on 21 shots, although he was the only starter with a positive +/-.
Forget the lack of self awareness. These quotes are meaningless, circular garbage.There's a new interview by Joe Vardon in the Athletic. I don't have a subscription, but here's one summary:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/ny-kyrie-irving-kenny-atkinson-spencer-dinwiddie-20191102-t3kmsbimpjdq3mm4czxwvkz7sq-story.html
Like this quote:
“I think at this point in my career, it’s just about doing whatever is needed,” Irving said. “I understand how special I am with the basketball in my hands and being at the top tier of scoring, and I think that I am capable of doing so. I don’t mind showing it for the rest of the season. It’s not even so much an individual goal, it’s something that James [Harden] is asked to do for his team and it’s something I’m going to be asked to do for my team this year.“If [Kevin Durant] was playing and on the court, it would probably be a little bit different. But you just understand that whatever the game needs, you just give it.”Irving of course has apologized for his lapses in leadership while in Boston. The experience seems to have made him more thoughtful about the challenge.“I think it’s just the realization that I’m going to be one of the leaders, regardless (of) whether I want to come out and say it or not,” Irving said. “That’s part of the responsibility of being one of the best players on the team, is really taking responsibility for gearing up the guys, or utilizing your experience, or utilizing your talent, not just for your own scoring or not just for defense, but for rallying the guys. It’s just, when you come out and say it, you put a lot more emphasis on it.”
If Atkinson gets fired, David Griffin would be outside his door with a job offer the next dayNets-Pistons was the first I've seen of Mr C. this season. Granted, it was a back to back on the road, but he did not pretend to give any defensive effort. None of the Nets did, just low effort, low energy all around. The O/U is 43.5 but they look like a 30 win team.
What is the O/U on how many games till Atkinson is fired?
That's a lovely little homily, but is it actually true? The C's teams with IT were pretty good defensively, and he was about as weak (not for lack of effort though) a defender as I can remember.If Atkinson gets fired, David Griffin would be outside his door with a job offer the next day
As far as defense, Kyrie feels like he can turn it on/off whenever he likes. Modern defense is predicated on switching, rotating, helping, and positioning, your weakest link just destroys the defensive effort of the other 4. If one guy is bad or inconsistent on D it can furthermore destroy the overall effort from all. This needs to be part of Kyrie versus Kemba comparison equation. AND why I scoff at the concept of Kyrie being significantly better/more talented then Kemba. Attitude, effort and consistency count.
A team's defense is only as strong as its weakest defender.
I think the key term there is inconsistent. The IT Celtics knew exactly what they had from IT all the time. If you have someone who gives variable effort, does that throw the whole defensive scheme off? Can you adjust to “sometimes he’s going to show up and sometimes not.” How many times can you make that adjustment before you go “Fuck it. If he’s not going to try, why should I cover for him.”That's a lovely little homily, but is it actually true? The C's teams with IT were pretty good defensively, and he was about as weak (not for lack of effort though) a defender as I can remember.
It's more of an effort/consistency thing I was getting at. Kyrie basically told reporters all last season in postgame interviews, after losses, that he'd turn it on in the playoffs.That's a lovely little homily, but is it actually true? The C's teams with IT were pretty good defensively, and he was about as weak (not for lack of effort though) a defender as I can remember.
Good point.I think the key term there is inconsistent. The IT Celtics knew exactly what they had from IT all the time. If you have someone who gives variable effort, does that throw the whole defensive scheme off? Can you adjust to “sometimes he’s going to show up and sometimes not.” How many times can you make that adjustment before you go “Fuck it. If he’s not going to try, why should I cover for him.”
King of the humble brag. Reading this makes me want to gouge my eyes out,There's a new interview by Joe Vardon in the Athletic. I don't have a subscription, but here's one summary:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/ny-kyrie-irving-kenny-atkinson-spencer-dinwiddie-20191102-t3kmsbimpjdq3mm4czxwvkz7sq-story.html
Like this quote:
“I think at this point in my career, it’s just about doing whatever is needed,” Irving said. “I understand how special I am with the basketball in my hands and being at the top tier of scoring, and I think that I am capable of doing so. I don’t mind showing it for the rest of the season. It’s not even so much an individual goal, it’s something that James [Harden] is asked to do for his team and it’s something I’m going to be asked to do for my team this year.“If [Kevin Durant] was playing and on the court, it would probably be a little bit different. But you just understand that whatever the game needs, you just give it.”Irving of course has apologized for his lapses in leadership while in Boston. The experience seems to have made him more thoughtful about the challenge.“I think it’s just the realization that I’m going to be one of the leaders, regardless (of) whether I want to come out and say it or not,” Irving said. “That’s part of the responsibility of being one of the best players on the team, is really taking responsibility for gearing up the guys, or utilizing your experience, or utilizing your talent, not just for your own scoring or not just for defense, but for rallying the guys. It’s just, when you come out and say it, you put a lot more emphasis on it.”
IT was nearly unplayable in the playoffs due to D, when teams started hunting him. Brad had to change the rotations in the Wizards series to match him up against benches as much as possible.That's a lovely little homily, but is it actually true? The C's teams with IT were pretty good defensively, and he was about as weak (not for lack of effort though) a defender as I can remember.