Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

NBA: X-Factors for the top 5 teams entering 2017-18

By Morgan Dunn

INDEPENDENCE, OH - SEPTEMBER 7: Isaiah Thomas is introduced as a Cleveland Cavalier at Cleveland Clinic Courts on September 7, 2017 in Independence, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
INDEPENDENCE, OH - SEPTEMBER 7: Isaiah Thomas is introduced as a Cleveland Cavalier at Cleveland Clinic Courts on September 7, 2017 in Independence, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 01: Kyrie Irving #11 and Gordon Hayward #20 are introduced as the newest members of the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on September 1, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 01: Kyrie Irving #11 and Gordon Hayward #20 are introduced as the newest members of the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on September 1, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics – Kyrie Buying What Brad Stevens is Selling

Kyrie Irving is one of the most talented players in the league. He’s an offensive marvel, one of the best finishers at the basket we’ve ever seen from the guard position. However, he’s not quite as good as he thinks he is. He’s certainly an upgrade over Isaiah Thomas, the player he was traded for, but perhaps not as drastic of an upgrade as we’ve been led to believe.

Irving fashions himself a superstar, and he’s certainly prone to bad shot selection when he goes into hero ball mode. Stretches of contested, pull-up jumpers in transition and tough shots at the rim despite open teammates do not fit the mold in Boston.

The Celtics play an unselfish brand of basketball, one based on ball movement. Brad Stevens seems to have a way of getting players to buy into this system, and this skill will be put to the test this season. Irving will be allowed to create for himself, just as Thomas was, but there must be a limit to his leash.

If Kyrie refuses to buy into Stevens’ system, the Celtics will struggle. Fellow offseason acquisition Gordon Hayward played for Stevens in college, so he knows the drill. Should Boston struggle, Kyrie is going to see a lot of the blame fall onto his shoulders, fair or not. It’s what he asked for when he demanded a trade from Cleveland. If he refuses to buy in, he could see the downside to being the face of a franchise, especially in a city like Boston.

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