Kyrie Irving

[ArchieBunker7]

That shot was.... there are no words for that shot. Maybe the most impressive shot I've ever seen him take/make. The degree of difficulty on that shot was astounding, and he banked it ON PURPOSE. Defended, off the dribble, from a nigh impossible angle, and placing perfectly on the backboard? Lord have mercy...

The kid understands the nuances and geometry of scoring so well, and at such a young age. Its a gift, really.

And you can tell his overall floor game is catching up. He made several plays in that first half that I hadn't seen him make all of last year that were legitimate floor general plays. Seriously, the sky is the limit.

Now, if we could just get him to fix his PnR defense...

Thank you for that very unique and depictful description. I'm not sure I've ever heard someone's shooting described in such a manner...but man oh man is it fitting. I've always loved how Duncan uses the square. But, KI seems to use it in a different kind of way. Whereas Duncan is great at using it on his jumpers and just normal lay ins, we see KI use it with crazy english...with trees all over the place and guys draped on his back. It's astounding.

[sammyvine]

he plays like deron williams so much

should be a superstar. i wanna see him get you to the play offs. Derrick Rose got the bulls into the play offs after his like 3 season, so i am hoping irvings takes the cavs to the play offs next year.

[The Human Q-Tip]

That shot was.... there are no words for that shot. Maybe the most impressive shot I've ever seen him take/make. The degree of difficulty on that shot was astounding, and he banked it ON PURPOSE. Defended, off the dribble, from a nigh impossible angle, and placing perfectly on the backboard? Lord have mercy...

The kid understands the nuances and geometry of scoring so well, and at such a young age. Its a gift, really. ...

"I get...buckets"

[The Human Q-Tip]

Having not played in weeks, he did great. If he can stay healthy, he should be able to build up his endurance this season - and then we can see how he uses it.

The advantage Kyrie has over guys like MJ/Kobe/LBJ is he's not pushing as much mass up and down the court. He should be able to sustain a higher energy level.

You're right -- he should have more endurance that he does. But the kid hasn't played a full season of basketball in a long time, and the game looks like it has always come easy for him. Realistically, we're probably looking at a few years -- and likely a major playoff loss -- before the light bulb goes on and he realizes the importance of having the stamina for defensive effort. I wish he'd just "get it", but that higher level of intensity/effort required to get in that kind of condition seems to take a bit longer with some of the offiensive marvels out there. LBJ is a pretty good example. It wasn't until he realized that championship-level basketball required real effort on both ends that he became the defender he is today. And again, it sometimes takes a painful loss and some harsh criticism before it happens.

As for the mass, you're right as well. But it's a bit of a trade-off. Larger guys generally guard larger players who don't move as quickly as the smaller guys, play more positional/body-up defense, and have a longer wingspan. Small guys have to do a lot of running around, with their feet constantly moving, to keep up with the smaller, quicker guys they're supposed to be guarding. So it is less mass to move, but also a lot more movement.

[Off-Season God]

Having not played in weeks, he did great. If he can stay healthy, he should be able to build up his endurance this season - and then we can see how he uses it.

The advantage Kyrie has over guys like MJ/Kobe/LBJ is he's not pushing as much mass up and down the court. He should be able to sustain a higher energy level.

Quit talking out of your ass, John. First off, Kobe (205) is only 9 lbs heavier than Irving (191 + 5 lbs he gained = 196). Jordan was only 216. Also, longer legs mean less strides, i.e. less energy. But none of that really matters. What it comes down to is VO2MAX. It's the body's ability to use oxygen based off of body weight (in a minute). Also, the body's ability to clear lactic acid and where one's lactic acid threshold is important. Those two factors outweigh weight. Hell, Wilt Chamberlain played every minute of one game one year, and he was over 300 lbs (Jerry Lucas told me this in person).

[Jon]

Quit talking out of your ass, John. First off, Kobe (205) is only 9 lbs heavier than Irving (191 + 5 lbs he gained = 196).

Bleh, you can go with all that physiology stuff, I'll stick with physics. F=MA! ;P

I'm not sure where you got your weight figures from, but maybe Kyrie is getting tired because he put on too much bulk.

[IWantAKouki]

NBA weight stats are a farce anyways.

[Off-Season God]

Bleh, you can go with all that physiology stuff, I'll stick with physics. F=MA! ;P

I'm not sure where you got your weight figures from, but maybe Kyrie is getting tired because he put on too much bulk.

I highly doubt that. If anything, the guy needs to put on a little more weight especially if he wants to post up and finish better traffic. He just needs to get in better shape overall. He was actually in better shape in college than he is now.

[amil99]

Dude is a pleasure to watch. One of the most aesthetically pleasing players I have seen in a long time.

[Jon]

NBA weight stats are a farce anyways.

Yeah, it's hard to have a comparative weight discussion when there seems to be little rhyme or reason to their official measurements.

[CavsinFL]

Yeah, it's hard to have a comparative weight discussion when there seems to be little rhyme or reason to their official measurements.

Like how nba.com still has LeBron listed at 250.... lol

[Heights]

Yeah yeah yeah, I know, internet voting and through ESPN.

But that's what's up!

[narbar32]

Yeah yeah yeah, I know, internet voting and through ESPN.

But that's what's up!

A second-year player who's already toeing the line of stardom versus 2 kids who won't be in the NBA until at least 2 years from now, a white chick, and a third-year, insanely erratic headcase who just got suspended for seed-slapping an opponent?

Hmm... decisions, decisions...

[No Regard]

Dude is a pleasure to watch. One of the most aesthetically pleasing players I have seen in a long time.

That's the keyword.

[JiggleIt]

I pleasure myself when I watch Kyrie. One of the hottest guys I've seen in a long time.

Can we stick to focusing on the guy's game please?