Kyrie Irving is euro stepping in the face of everyone who doubted his ability to contribute to winning basketball after a series of controversies in recent years. After missing most of last season due to the vaccine mandate and the early part of this season due to a suspension for promoting an anti-Semitic film.
After he returned from the suspension, Irving has been slowly getting his level of play back to the All-Star caliber point guard we have always known he is. Over the last 12 games, all Nets wins, Kyrie has averaged 29.3 points on 54.3% field goal efficiency, with 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists, while shooting 45.5% from three.
Irving has credited the effort he’s put into maintaining his body ever since his ankle injury in the 2021 playoffs.
“I’ve been working on my body for the last year and a half, two years especially recovering from that traumatic ankle injury I had during the 2021 playoffs,” Irving said after scoring 27 points in 29 minutes. “I just felt like I didn’t have my feet underneath me at the end of last season, so coming into this season I definitely put an emphasis on being more on my toes and getting stronger.” (h/t NY Post)
Focusing on strengthening your toes isn’t something we hear NBA stars do quite often but it has paid dividends for a point guard like Irving that depends on his shiftiness to excel.
Is Kyrie Irving The Catalyst For A Championship?
Kyrie Irving is going to be the primary differentiator between the Nets’ ability to win a championship. We’ve seen how far Kevin Durant can take the Nets on his own, as evidenced by his second-round heroics in 2021 en route to a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
If Irving is available and playing at this high a level, the Nets are going to be the scariest team in the East. Irving is also securing his future in the NBA by playing on an expiring contract, so where he goes next will be interesting to see.
Source: fadeawayworld
