Kyrie Irving just wanted the opportunity to prove himself worthy of being the focal point of a team; he has had that and more with the Boston Celtics so far this season
Kyrie Irving shocked the basketball world this past summer by asking for a trade away from the Cleveland Cavaliers after back-to-back-to-back NBA Finals appearances.
However, as it turns out, Irving was really requesting a trade from the shadow of LeBron James.
Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Ante Zizic, Jae Crowder and the Brooklyn Nets’ first-round pick in 2018. Boston also managed to acquire the free-agent wing Gordon Hayward to a max, four year $128 million contract.
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Opening night fireworks were expected when the Celtics visited the Cavaliers, yet they were cut short. Five minutes into his debut for Boston, Hayward’s season was ended as he suffered a fractured ankle. People were quick to call the Celtics season a wash, especially after losing their following game to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Most Boston fans were in a state of panic seemingly forgetting, even underestimating, the proven champion they had in Irving. Especially with Hayward out, the door was open for Kyrie to do exactly what he left Cleveland to do: lead.
The Duke product was instrumental in leading his team to a resounding 16-game winning streak, putting the league on notice that the Celtics are for real. This has elevated Kyrie from LeBron’s sidekick to a legitimate NBA MVP candidate, and rightfully so.
Kyrie hasn’t dazzled any differently offensively since joining the men in green. He is averaging slightly fewer points, shooting a little worse from beyond the arc (36% down from 40% in 2017), and basically the same number of assists. He has bought in on the defensive end, but that comes as a given when Boston is the NBA’s best defensive team, averaging 97.1 points per 100 possessions, fewest allowed in the league.
But what makes him an MVP candidate?
The simple answer is his play during crunch time, which is described as the last five minutes of the game if the game is within five points. However, you really have to watch the man to understand just how dominate he has been.
Kyrie has averaged 5.4 points in the clutch along with zero turnovers, which is good for second in the league and a huge jump from number 15 last season.
Kyrie Irving in final 5 min and score within 5 this season:
— Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) November 21, 2017
- 38 mins
- 65 pts
- 24-39 FG
- 13-16 FT
- 11 drawn fouls
- 32 pts in the paint
- 10 assists
- 0 turnovers
- Plus-minus of +40
Dude is the literal definition of clutch.
Irving has always been good in clutch; we all remember the shot over Golden State’s Steph Curry to give Cleveland their first championship, but being removed from under LeBron’s shadow has certainly helped.
Kyrie single handedly brought his team back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter against the Mavericks to win their 16th straight game. He scored 17 points over a 12:50 stretch between regulation and overtime, which equaled the Mav’s entire team output.
Although the season is still early and a lot can change between now and April, the Boston Celtics are currently the top seed in the East and sport the league’s best record.
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It takes more than one man to win games and championships, but if Kyrie Irving can maintain this level of play the Boston Celtics look scary as this season continues to unfold.