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Kyrie Irving is Ready

By Ian Riaf

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics gives a thumbs up during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on October 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics gives a thumbs up during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on October 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Kyrie Irving has come prepared and ready to lead

All eyes will be on Kyrie Irving as he squares off against his former team at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Irving surprised NBA fans by wanting out of Cleveland this summer. We are all aware that he does not want to be the second option. In Boston, he has been handed the keys to the team. So what can we expect from Kyrie Irving?

A lot of scoring. Irving is simply known as being one of the best volume scoring point guards ever. He is one of only three players since the 1990-91 season to score 55+ points, multiple times, during the same season. The other two players on this list are Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Pretty good standing for Kyrie. In Boston, without the presence of LeBron James, Irving will have the opportunity to score the ball and be Boston’s primary option.

He holds the Cavs all-time single-game scoring record, over LeBron James, with a 57 point performance against the Spurs. In this game, Irving shot an impressive 100% from three-point range, going seven for seven from beyond the arc.

To be effective, he needs to shoot more three-pointers per game. In Boston, he will get this opportunity. Last season, he ranked behind players such as Ryan Anderson, J.J. Redick, and even Trevor Ariza when it comes to three-pointers attempted, and made.

To give you a perspective, Irving and Stephen Curry were almost tied in scoring last season. They both shot above 40% from three-point range, however, Curry attempted almost four more three-pointers per game. Over the course of the regular season last year that amounted to 147 more three-pointers.

While the Celtics will probably not have Irving chucking up 10 three’s a game, he needs to shoot more than six three’s in order for him to be more effective. Look for him to get a lot more opportunities to shoot the three ball, as he should, considering the fact that in four of his six seasons, he shot better than 38% from beyond the arc.

CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 11: Kyrie Irving
CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 11: Kyrie Irving /

Expect him to come prepared. On the court and off the court. Irving has looked slimmer and more nimble this season. Just recently, Irving mentioned that he has switched over to a plant-based diet, noting that he does not want to be eating dead animals.

Players, even outside the NBA realm, who want to sustain their performance turn to healthy diets as a way to maximize their potential. New England legend and one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Tom Brady, is famous for his somewhat similar plant-based diet. The results have paid off for Brady and as a 40-year-old quarterback he is still putting up impressive numbers.

Irving’s focus to improve his physicality off the court, through living a healthier lifestyle, shows the amount of effort he’s put into preparing for this season.

Celtics fans should be very excited to witness an unleashed Kyrie Irving. So sit back, grab some popcorn and plant-based nachos and enjoy the 2017/2018 Celtics.

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