Tyronn Lue didn’t challenge Kyrie Irving enough
As it turns out, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ newest rival is the man once seen as the crowned prince: Kyrie Irving.
The beginning of year 2018 also marked the start of a new chapter in what’s become the NBA’s most fascinating rivalry.
After a discontent Kyrie Irving asked for a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, a move that blindsided the country due to the team’s success and talent, rumors swirled as to why this young and extremely talented point guard would want to leave the team.
A team led by LeBron James, who is quite literally the best player in the world and who has led his teams to seven consecutive NBA Finals. The Cavaliers had been to three straight and Irving, a spectacle of sorcery and scintillation, saw his star brighten significantly while putting on spectacular performances against the transcendent Stephen Curry.
Some might say that in two NBA Finals appearances, Irving has been the better player. Whether or not you agree isn’t the point.
The point is that Irving played so well he made it a legitimate conversation. Did he play better than the league’s first unanimous NBA MVP, a two-time MVP to be exact? The greatest shooter in NBA history?
Yet, underneath the surface, and that’s really all you ever see until somebody – or something – lets you slip underneath the mask, there was trouble brewing in the Land. A discontent Irving would become distant and one could only speculate on the cause of why but while Irving’s disconnect with James is the main storyline, one reason in particular comes to mind for Irving’s “inevitable” departure.
He wasn’t allowed to grow beside James.
Irving didn’t morph into a scoring machine hell-bent on destruction because of James but beside James he wasn’t challenged to be more than that. After all, how many games did you see Irving start a possession off running to the wing as James ran point guard?
Of course it’s not James’ fault that his combination of physical prowess, mental acuity and pure-point ability made him the “de facto” point guard. It was to be expected.
However, synergy and symbiosis are important. Irving, a former number one overall pick who was expected to pick up the cape left by James on his way to Miami, was asked to score. He wasn’t challenged to be a complete playmaker despite MVP-level talent and performances.
In hindsight, that was the source of his issue before he thought the Cavs didn’t want him (it may seem ridiculous but the Cavs would never have tried to trade James, a player they want).
Not only did Irving go through large stretches of time guarding larger and slower players rather than fellow point guards because the Cavs didn’t consistently challenge Irving’s defensive intensity and capability but instead allowed DeAndre Liggins and Iman Shumpert take over that role. Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue would tell the media that Irving wasn’t able to dominate with his passing, just his scoring. Limiting him.
Quote transcribed by Jason Lloyd, formerly of ohio.com:
"“He’s not Jason Kidd or [Rajon] Rondo, who can dominate the game with his passing, he’s an elite scorer.”"
Lue might have suggested Irving play faster to get his teammates more involved but besides Irving’s telling response that it was James’ job to be the complete player and not him, Lue walking away wasn’t a challenge at all.
It was acquiescence. Lue backing down.
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Irving has gushed about Brad Stevens’ coaching ever since going to the Boston Celtics and it should be no mystery as to why.
Just like there’s no mystery to him improving as a passer and defender this season. He’s being challenged and stimulated by a coach he clicks with.
Consider this quote, transcribed by sportswriter Jared Weiss (Celtics Wire):
"“It’s that and more, in terms of having a head coach that allows you to grow and wants to push you every single time you step on that floor. Whether it be in practice or walkthrough or in the game, he’s just consistently giving me encouragement and making sure that I understand how big this game is and how you manage it throughout 48 minutes. So I’m just very appreciative that I can follow a guy like that and he allows me to be one of the leaders on the team.”"
It’s unfortunate but he’s not lying.
Whatever issue Irving had with James potentially directing a trade for Eric Bledsoe in exchange for Irving’s departure or leaking out Irving’s trade requests are separate from the issues he had before the offseason began.
Irving wasn’t seen in the proper light in James’ shadow and the result was a need to find an organization that would dedicate themselves into molding him into a complete player. With Stevens and the Celtics, he has that.