His improbable “runner” left hand to bring down the Nuggets at the buzzer did not surprise Ime Udoka. “ He's got that touch, that confidence, it's not a lucky shot “, assures the Rockets coach speaking of Kyrie Irving.
His gesture was an illustration among many others of the extraordinary talent of the Mavs player. “ I would even say that he is the best one-on-one player I have ever seen, coached or been around. And this is not an isolated act. It's not a match here or there. It's every evening. It's every practice he does something that impresses you », Continues the technician, who was able to see him at work with the Nets, where he was an assistant before taking the position in Boston.
Without giving a specific example, Im Udoka says he saw, on a daily basis, “ things that make you shake your head. Funny story, Mike D'Antoni was there with me, and despite all the great players he's coached and seen, he taps me on the leg once a game when Kyrie does something on offense. So it's no surprise to anyone. I think he is by far the best striker I have ever seen. »
Premature compliments?
These compliments fell to the ears of the person concerned, following the Mavs' victory over the Rockets, during which the leader/guard signed 24 points and 7 assists. Kyrie Irving says he is honored by these words, but recalls: “ I appreciate everyone's compliments about being the most talented, but that's not why I play. I didn't start playing to be the best one-on-one player or to be considered the most skilled. »
No, LeBron's former teammate James is aiming to be recognized as a big winner, ” one of those guys who came through our league and left an impact, who did it in their own way, but who also did it with special teammates – and who was truly an inspiration in my approach . […] I set an example not only for athletes, but also for people around the world, showing them […] how to make mistakes in the public square and learn from them, and how to mature as a young man. It's not easy being a child prodigy growing up in the United States. People expect you to be more mature than you are. »
A reference to his controversial statements and behaviors in the past which have greatly muddied his image. Where, since he has been in Dallas, he seems to have found his balance and calm. Kyrie Irving also considers that this type of compliment is premature, that we should not forget his predecessors in this debate. “ Save these compliments for when I'm finished », he demands.
| Kyrie Irving | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2011-12 | KEY | 51 | 31 | 46.9 | 39.9 | 87.2 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 5.4 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 18.5 |
| 2012-13 | KEY | 59 | 35 | 45.2 | 39.1 | 85.5 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 5.9 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 22.5 |
| 2013-14 | KEY | 71 | 35 | 43.0 | 35.8 | 86.1 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 6.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 20.8 |
| 2014-15 | KEY | 75 | 36 | 46.8 | 41.5 | 86.3 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 5.2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2015-16 | KEY | 53 | 32 | 44.8 | 32.2 | 88.5 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 3.0 | 4.7 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 19.6 |
| 2016-17 | KEY | 72 | 35 | 47.3 | 40.1 | 90.5 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 25.2 |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 60 | 32 | 49.1 | 40.8 | 88.9 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 24.4 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 67 | 33 | 48.7 | 40.1 | 87.3 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 6.9 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 23.8 |
| 2019-20 | BRK | 20 | 33 | 47.8 | 39.4 | 92.2 | 1.1 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 6.4 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 27.4 |
| 2020-21 | BRK | 54 | 35 | 50.6 | 40.2 | 92.2 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 26.9 |
| 2021-22 | BRK | 29 | 38 | 46.9 | 41.8 | 91.5 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 27.5 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 60 | 37 | 49.4 | 37.9 | 90.5 | 1.0 | 4.1 | 5.1 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 * | BRK | 40 | 37 | 48.6 | 37.4 | 88.3 | 1.0 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 * | DAL | 20 | 38 | 51.0 | 39.2 | 94.7 | 1.1 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 27.0 |
| 2023-24 | DAL | 51 | 35 | 49.4 | 41.0 | 90.2 | 0.8 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 25.4 |
| Total | 722 | 34 | 47.4 | 39.3 | 88.6 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 23.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
