Do the Nets need Kyrie?

[Marchesk]

A depleted squad goes 4-2 in the bubble with wins over Bucks and Clippers. Second straight year in the playoffs. Durant coming back next year with a good supporting cast. Trade Kyrie to Pelicans for Holiday and Reddick.

[LoneyROY7]

Kyrie is an elite 2nd option. He will fit very well alongside KD.

[Marchesk]

Kyrie is an elite 2nd option. He will fit very well alongside KD.

Trade him for Westbrook

[Marchesk]

Kyrie is an elite 2nd option. He will fit very well alongside KD.

But seriously, Nets looking like Eastern Clippers next season. The only thing is does Kyrie think he's a second option? Because he wanted out of Cleveland, in part because he was #2. Maybe it's different with Durant?

[LAmbruh]

18 Cavs? nope

18 Celtics? nope

current Celtics? nope

current Nets? nope

[Marchesk]

18 Cavs? nope

18 Celtics? nope

current Celtics? nope

current Nets? nope

Kyrie for Kuzma and Caruso? Lebron can have his Big 3 again.

[LoneyROY7]

But seriously, Nets looking like Eastern Clippers next season. The only thing is does Kyrie think he's a second option? Because he wanted out of Cleveland, in part because he was #2. Maybe it's different with Durant?

I'm sure Kyrie understands KD's talent and scoring capability.

Th only way that happens is if KD's returns not remotely the same player. Which I doubt.

[CTbasketball92]

But seriously, Nets looking like Eastern Clippers next season. The only thing is does Kyrie think he's a second option? Because he wanted out of Cleveland, in part because he was #2. Maybe it's different with Durant?

He decided to play with KD so I'm sure all is well. They were dying to play with each other.

Additionally, I think his leaving Cleveland was in large part about LeBron's ball-dominant ways. KD is very used to playing off ball, and his injury might make it so he doesn't want to play on ball as much.

As for the thread itself, it's pretty silly. You need high-end talent to win at a high-level.

For the last four years, Kyrie has averaged 24/6 on 60 TS% and around 48/40/90 splits with a very low turnover rate in three or so very different situations, which proves that he can do whatever he's going to do in any situation, whether it's off ball, on ball, in a Spurs-esque system, or a your-turn, my turn system like OKC, etc. Kyrie has had an average ws/48 of .196 over that time, which is well into All-NBA level. When he's been healthy enough to be on the court, he's been All-NBA level. He should've been on a team in 2016-2017, would have in 2017-2018, was on it in 2018-2019. Kyrie was averaging 27/6/5 on 60 TS% this year and the offense was 6 points better with him on the court. By most accounts he's been trending upward as a player since 2014-2015. He's been around a top 12-15 player that whole time in different circumstances. They need Kyrie if they want to win a championship, they've got no shot without him.

I don't know why Kyrie in particular is prone to being the subject of these debates. We saw KD get knocked out in the second round back in 2013. We've seen how this movie goes. You have to get at least two all-nba guys and a solid supporting cast and a solid coach to win a chip. Caris Levert is fine, but he is very ball-dominant, not a good shooter, not a good passer, has total tunnel vision and is an awful defender. Spencer is very streaky. Jarrett Allen is kind of suspect a good amount of the time.

Add in KD—assuming hes still a top 10 player, closer to top 5—and Kyrie—who will have more time to learn the system after seeing film and seeing team and getting to play more games—they can definitely beat Milwaukee. I'm not worried about the Celtics or 76ers honestly, or even Toronto. Just milwaukee.

[CTbasketball92]

Additionally, Kyrie will still get his 20 or so shots a game. Steph and KD both averaged over 25 when they were on the same team.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

They look better without Kyrie because Kyrie is a fake #1. Add in a real #1 like KD and Kyrie will look much better.

Kawhi's second option tonight bitchboy dleaguer Shamet gave him 1 point, otherwise that would of still been a clippers W with their 3 best players out.

[Gray GOAT]

Every team, without exception, just performs better when he isn’t on it. That is a TERRIBLE look. If this Nets thing doesn’t work out, and we have solid reason and considerable evidence that it won’t, he might be done playing playoff basketball and only desperate teams like the Kings or the Suns will throw money at him.

[LoneyROY7]

They look better without Kyrie because Kyrie is a fake #1. Add in a real #1 like KD and Kyrie will look much better.

Kawhi's second option tonight bitchboy dleaguer Shamet gave him 1 point, otherwise that would of still been a clippers W with their 3 best players out.

You literally have to insert Kawhi somehow in every single post.

[Gray GOAT]

You literally have to insert Kawhi somehow in every single post.

Autism supporting autism.

[Axe]

You literally have to insert Kawhi somehow in every single post.

Lmao

[ImKobe]

If they want to win in the Playoffs they do. That team has some nice young talent so no wonder they were still able to win games without him and KD in the RS, they'll be a legitimate contender if healthy. 4 guys who can create their own shot and also make plays for others and one of the best catch & shoot players in Joe Harris, Allen and DJ are decent bigs as well, very efficient in their roles offensively.