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Can Kyrie Irving Lead the Boston Celtics to Banner 18?

By Travis Babcock

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 28: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics warms up prior to their preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at Dean Smith Center on September 28, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 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. The Hornets won 104-97. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 28: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics warms up prior to their preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at Dean Smith Center on September 28, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 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. The Hornets won 104-97. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving gets back on defense. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
If Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving can improve some defensive habits, other teams will be in trouble. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1) Defensive Effort

While it is reasonable to say that Kyrie Irving isn’t exactly Kawhi Leonard on the defensive side of the ball in his time in the league, it isn’t completely fair to pinpoint the deficiencies on his ability.

On the surface, the numbers don’t do that statement any favors. Kyrie finished last season 17th on the roster in defensive rating per 100 possessions (106) and in defensive box plus minus (-.7). In a system predicated on defense, these numbers stick out like a sore thumb.

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The numbers don’t tell the entire story, though. When narrowed down to Playoffs only, Kyrie’s defensive numbers show that he is capable of being a respectable defender. In Cleveland’s final run at the title with Kyrie in tow, Irving finished with the 4th highest defensive win share rating on the roster (.4).

According to Sporting Charts, defensive win shares is a metric that estimates the number of wins a player produces for his team due to his defensive ability.

What does this signify?

For starters, it reveals that Irving has the ability to be a plus defender, but isn’t steadfast in his resolve to be a plus defender. Does it come as a surprise that a guy of Kyrie’s talent and experience struggles to defend at a consistent level? Not at all.

Talented players in the NBA do it all the time. Those with plenty of playoff experience under their belts tend to relax a little during the regular season in an attempt to preserve themselves for the rigors of the playoffs. Kyrie Irving has been no exception to this strategy up to this point in his career.

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Should it come as a surprise that a guy in a system led by defensive-minded head coach Brad Stevens has these tendencies? Absolutely.

While Irving did not participate in last year’s playoff run, one should expect more effort on the defensive side of the ball, regular season or not. Boston has prided themselves on their defense for years now.

Kyrie is currently the weakest link in what is otherwise arguably the league’s top defense. If he can step up his game and provide the team with a consistent defensive effort, which he is capable of, this team can make even greater strides on that end of the court in the upcoming season. Which, quite frankly, is a terrifying thought.

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