Kyrie: ‘Big 3’ Meeting Spurred Winning
The Cleveland Cavaliers were struggling early in the season. At one point the Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love led Cavs were 19 – 20. Most have pointed to James’ return from his two week health hiatus and the addition of the ‘New 3’ of J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov as the turning points.
Irving has a different thought. He believes that a meeting that the ‘Big 3’ had in LA, before their win against the Lakers, as the turning point, according to Cleveland.com:
"“Everyone was asking what were you guys talking about,” Irving said recently, in anexclusive interview with the Northeast Ohio Media Group. “It was like guys, we go as far as we take us. We have great guys on our team, but the end all, when the game’s on the line, they’re going to be looking to us three. And we’ve got to be able to make plays.“It doesn’t matter if you take a terrible shot, a bad shot, a good shot, it’s all our shot. And that was the gist of the conversation.”Irving said that meeting as a turning point for the Cavs, who were 19-20 when it took place and since are an NBA-best 28-7."
Sounds like an interesting conversation that we are just now finding out the details of. Many reported the discussion happening at the time. They saw the 3 talking but never knew what they were talking about.
It seems that this was the first time the ‘Big 3’ decided that things were on their shoulder. Earlier in the season LeBron noted that he didn’t want referred to as that, that the Cavs were a complete team. This meeting seems to have helped the three of them take the responsibility on their shoulders, together as one unit.
The statement about a terrible, bad, good shot probably will perk people’s ears. We don’t like the idea that terrible and bad shots are okay. What should draw your attention is this statement: “It’s all our shot.” The bought in ‘Big 3’ see all of the shots each other takes as “their” shots. They are a unit together.
That discussion has really brought the 3 of them together says Kyrie:
"“We said we trust each other enough where we’re going to have to be closer right now, at this moment,” Irving said. “And since that game when LeBron came back from the back (and knee injuries), we’ve been great. The relationships have just gotten a lot better, because now we’re open dialogue and we say what’s on our mind. Film room, practice, games, come to the bench, everyone’s talking. It’s a great environment to be a part of.”"
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While many try to find problems between the ‘Big 3,’ Kyrie is letting you know that they are on the same page and plan to be that way for awhile. A small conversation, off to the side on a trip to LA changed everything according to Irving.
We believe LeBron’s health and the additions of Smith, Shumpert and Mozgov also played a huge role but the ‘Big 3’ being on the same page is vital. How the 3 of them respond in the Playoffs to their first trials and tribulation will be very interesting. Hopefully all 3 can make it there healthy and ready to go.
The Cavs are united, says Kyrie Irving, and the rest of the NBA should be scared at that thought. The 16 game home winning streak and the best record in the league since Jan. 15th probably has done enough scaring.
What do you think about Kyrie’s statements?