Boston Celtics: Which – current or former – point guard will have the better season in 2019-20?

Kyrie Irving

Irving left Boston after two up and down seasons. The 27-year-old point guard had one of his best seasons, statistically, last year with career highs in rebounds, assists, and steals while averaging 24 points per game.

The six-time all-star was named second-team all-NBA. But the season was marred by infighting and Irving failed to lead the young Celtics, by his own admission. Many had predicted the Celtics to make the NBA Finals, but they bowed out meekly in the second round to Milwaukee in five.

Irving bolted Boston for Brooklyn in the off-season, saying he wanted to be closer to home. He joins one of the surprise teams in the NBA last season, the Nets, who won 42 games and made the playoffs for the first time in five years. They were led by guard D’Angelo Russell, who the Nets traded away to make room for Irving. They also signed Kevin Durant, but he won’t play this year due to an Achilles injury.

So this year, Irving is the Big Dog on a team that’s expected to not only make the playoffs but be better than they were last year. That puts a lot of pressure on Uncle Drew, who will also have to prove to the league that he can be a leader, He has a great opportunity this year to do just that without Durant.