Do people know how amazing Kyrie has been so far?

[docholliday99]

] I think the league/media is not pushing him as a star or face of any teams because of the various controversies off the court.

His controversies aren't off the court. He's flat out caused problems for multiple teams he played on. He had a season he basically refused to play basketball.

Kyrie had issues pre Lebron in Cleveland and afterwards in Boston and Brooklyn. Kyrie seems the sort that needs to play with a player that he feels is a dominate player/personality and not be the lead dog on the team. He was a train wreck when he tried to be a leader after leaving Cleveland; I think it was hard for Kyrie to acknowledge that you may be almost as good as a Lebron or a Luka, but lack that, "je ne sais quoi", that "something" that attracts others to follow you and be a natural leader.

We're seeing a lot of maturity and growth in Kyrie that I didn't think he would get to, tbh. Luka is his Batman, like Lebron was in the past.

[PistolPeteJR]

Let me ask you this then. Is he so good right now that you put Dort on Kyrie rather than Luka in the upcoming series?

No, because I believe in things averaging out. It was unlikely for Luka to play this bad offensively and be hurt vs the Clippers. Next series he will probably be the easy #1 offensive option, so Dort will probably be on him.

OKC has numerous perimeter defenders, is Dort the guy to put on Luka. I mean, he probably is, but I think its a debate here to be had. SGA and Williams play good defense too, I get you dont want to wear them down onbthat end, but you will need two people to guard MAVS duo either way.

I actually think OKC should put Dort on Kyrie and Williams on Luka, at least to start.

[PistolPeteJR]

] I think the league/media is not pushing him as a star or face of any teams because of the various controversies off the court.

His controversies aren't off the court. He's flat out caused problems for multiple teams he played on. He had a season he basically refused to play basketball.

I see what you did there

[ChipotleWest]

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[picc]

Kai's defense shouldn't be that shocking. If you've been watchiing him on Dallas and even BK last season, the guy can defend his ass off. Its a pretty outdated criticism.

And yeah, OP is right he's been amazing. Better than Luka for sure stat wise and eye test, though I think he benefits a lot from Luka's presence on the court.

[Archx]

Is he better than Luka at this point? Has the apprentice finally become the master?

This series he’s way better than Luka. Especially when you factor in defense. In general, no.

Shooting wise, maybe yes. But overall impact? That's debatable.

People love On/Off and defense. So...

Kyrie +17.5

Luka +47.5

And...

Read on Twitter

[ChipotleWest]

With many players it just comes down to trying vs. not trying. Lebron was making All defensive teams then in the middle of his career he just stopped playing hard nose defense. That was his decision to focus on the offensive end, it's not as if he lost the ability to defend at 30.

[Tottery]

He is entertaining to watch. Been efficient this post season as well with 50/42/90 shooting splits so far.

He and Luka are giving their best on defense as well. Never saw Luka get into a full blown defensive stance as much as this series.

[Astaluego]

Someone had to say it.. thanks OP.. Yes, he has been great, in addition to having the most aesthetic game in the world (in my opinion), what has impressed me the most (I didn't see him so much until landing in the Mavs) is his extremely altruistic game, (especially coming from a scoring guard ) Kai, not only has been the co-star the Mavs needed, he is also the veteran leader that the brilliant but sometimes immature Luka needs

[Dirk]

Someone had to say it.. thanks OP.

This is a classic jinx thread.

Someone create a thread on Terrance Mann playing great defense or something please.

[Petergrifindor]

The other day, during the 5th game I actually opened another window in my computer to buy myself a Kyrie jersey.

You now, after THAT play.

[og15]

Is he better than Luka at this point? Has the apprentice finally become the master?

This series he’s way better than Luka. Especially when you factor in defense. In general, no.

Let me ask you this then. Is he so good right now that you put Dort on Kyrie rather than Luka in the upcoming series?

If you believe Dort will actually limit him enough, sometimes it ends up being better limiting the secondary guy and understanding that the main guy will get his regardless.

Teams have done this in the past, for example take out the high-ish ppg very efficient shooter/scorer, understanding the main guy or guys even with a lesser defender can't make up all that efficiency.

So just depends on how much you actually believe Dort could do defensively on him in terms of limiting him.

[JimmyFromNz]

Is he better than Luka at this point? Has the apprentice finally become the master?

This series he’s way better than Luka. Especially when you factor in defense. In general, no.

You mentioned you've watched every minute of this series.

Luka's man defense has very good. Night and day from the regular season, so it seems an odd conclusion to reach.

For the original quoted question, Kyrie's been great (all season not just this series) but its a very firm and flat no and move on.

[mpoo_sin]

Let me ask you this then. Is he so good right now that you put Dort on Kyrie rather than Luka in the upcoming series?

No, because I believe in things averaging out. It was unlikely for Luka to play this bad offensively and be hurt vs the Clippers. Next series he will probably be the easy #1 offensive option, so Dort will probably be on him.

OKC has numerous perimeter defenders, is Dort the guy to put on Luka. I mean, he probably is, but I think its a debate here to be had. SGA and Williams play good defense too, I get you dont want to wear them down onbthat end, but you will need two people to guard MAVS duo either way.

While i think that Williams is a credible option to guard Doncic i do not see Gilgeous-Alexander being well equipped to handle a 6.8 250 player. He is the prototypical Irving defender though.

Dort, Williams on Doncic.
Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey? on Irving

[lambchop]

Is he better than Luka at this point? Has the apprentice finally become the master?

This series he’s way better than Luka. Especially when you factor in defense. In general, no.

Let me ask you this then. Is he so good right now that you put Dort on Kyrie rather than Luka in the upcoming series?

Sounds like something Popovich would do. He used to put Kawhi on Westbrook instead of KD

[picc]

If Dallas advances, if I'm OKC I put Williams on Luka and Dort on Kyrie. I don't want Shai picking up any fouls and using energy needlessly. Let him cook and let the other boys handle the defense. Shai can chill on DJJ.

[MrGoat]

One thing that has helped a lot is this has been his heathiest season in a long time. He played in 30 straight games for the first time since 2016. This season he set his career high in dunks (granted, only 6) which is crazy for a 32 year old guard his size.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Is he better than Luka at this point? Has the apprentice finally become the master?

This series he’s way better than Luka. Especially when you factor in defense. In general, no.

You mentioned you've watched every minute of this series.

Luka's man defense has very good. Night and day from the regular season, so it seems an odd conclusion to reach.

For the original quoted question, Kyrie's been great (all season not just this series) but its a very firm and flat no and move on.

Do we have matchup difficulty data? Because outside of game 3 or whatever when everyone kept trying to switch and go at Luka and it failed, I just know by my eyes I’ve seen way more times this series where Kyrie is getting incredible ball pressure and 1 on 1 D on the wing against Harden and PG.

[advent11]

Kyrie has been clearly better than Luka this series. Eye test.

[dygaction]

Is he better than Luka at this point? Has the apprentice finally become the master?

This series he’s way better than Luka. Especially when you factor in defense. In general, no.

Shooting wise, maybe yes. But overall impact? That's debatable.

People love On/Off and defense. So...

Kyrie +17.5

Luka +47.5

And...

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lol @ that belly..