Kyrie Irving and D’Angelo Russell on the Brooklyn Nets would be a problem
Rumor has it that the Brooklyn Nets are starting to warm up to the idea of Kyrie Irving and D’Angelo Russell playing alongside each other in Brooklyn’s backcourt. If that happens, the Boston Celtics have a certifiable problem on their hands.
Kyrie Irving seems ticketed to return to his roots in New York’s tri-state area. The current odds have the Brooklyn Nets being a slight favorite over the New York Knicks. That comes despite rumors that the Knicks have a “95% chance” of pairing Irving and Kevin Durant.
Today news came out that makes Las Vegas oddsmakers appear to be in the know. Bleacher Report came out with news that those in the Nets organization want to pair Irving and D’Angelo Russell to comprise its backcourt. That would be terrifying thought for Boston Celtics fans.
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Irving and Russell would form a backcourt that could instantly be considered a top-5 backcourt in the league. Hell, short of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, there doesn’t appear to be a 1-2 punch that looks as potent as a Russell and Irving pair.
What makes the duo so intriguing is how they complement each other. Both guys have similar builds at 6-foot-3, the ability to get to the rim, and most importantly the ability to knock down the 3-point shot.
Russell shot 37% on almost eight attempts per game this past season. Irving shot 40% on over six attempts himself. With each being natural playmakers at the point guard spot, the other can spot up at the 3-point line.
What’s even scarier to think is that Kenny Atkinson can stagger his minutes so that he can have an All-Star on the court at all times. A Russell-Irving pair would be an even more advanced version of Chris Paul and James Harden.
Russell is only 23 years old and has proven he can take control of an NBA offense. He is right at the same point in Harden’s career when he took off as a member of the Rockets.
Irving, on the other hand, has already been to the mountaintop, unlike Paul or Harden. He knows how to win. Perhaps Nets coach Kenny Atkinson could better stifle his ego than Brad Stevens, who allowed Irving to shoot the Celtics out of their series with the Bucks. If he could do that? The sky is the limit for the Nets.
Next. Boston Celtics should resign Marcus Morris. dark
It was always thought that Irving was going to replace Russell in Brooklyn, which likely would have led to locker room friction and unrest. Now that news has come out that the Nets are looking to pair the duo, the league (particularly the Celtics) may soon be put on notice.