Kyrie, or not Kyrie?
C’s need to step up with Irving in lineup
Athletes have been known to lift their games when a team’s best player is sidelined. In the case of the Celtics, they have done so well that it has led to the question of whether they are better without Kyrie Irving.
The short answer is no, they are not. The long answer is they need to figure out how to play better with him than they have, need to somehow figure out a way to incorporate some of the qualities that have enabled them to go 9-2 with Irving sidelined into games played at full strength.
“We need Kyrie to be the best version of ourselves,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said after Wednesday’s victory over the visiting Pistons.
It’s worth again mentioning that the 9-2 has come against a relatively weak portion of the schedule with 7 of 11 games coming at the Garden and 7 of 11 coming against squads with losing records.
Even so, the impressive record when playing without their toughest player to guard and leading scorer does compel a closer look at exactly how they have been able to thrive without their All-Star starter in the lineup.
For a different vantage point, I decided to research the statistics of the seven Irving teammates with the most minutes, comparing how they do in games Irving plays with how they do when he misses the entire game.
Jayson Tatum, Irving’s most offensively gifted teammate, and savvy, fearless veteran Marcus Morris, the most versatile Celtic, have similar numbers with and without Irving in the lineup.
The other five players — Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart — all have significantly better overall and 3-point shooting percentages when Irving is sidelined.
A look at the players’ numbers with and without Irving, listed in order of most-to-least affected:
HAYWARD
With Irving: 25.7 minutes, .409 pct., .320 3-pt., 10.0 ppg;
Without: 27.6 minutes, .542 pct., .381 3-pt., 16.1 ppg.
Explanation: They are two completely different type playmakers. Irving breaks down the defense to get shots for himself and others with drives and mixes in creative passes. Hayward creates shots for others by keeping the ball moving with passes. Ball movement and body movement fit Hayward’s style, not standing and watching. Three of the games Irving have missed have been in February, when Hayward has taken off. Is it just a case of coincidental timing throwing off the statistics, or has he taken off because he’s more comfortable with the style of ball the Celtics play without Irving?
ROZIER
With Irving: 22.3 minutes, .368 pct., .349 3-pt., 8.1 ppg;
Without: 28 minutes, .443 pct., .411 3-pt, 13.3 ppg.
Explanation: Does well running show. Has to figure out a way to bring same enthusiasm off the bench as in games when he starts and has big role in distributing the shots.
BROWN
With Irving: 25.3 minutes, .442 pct., .299 3-pt., 11.6 ppg;
Without: 28.4 minutes, .472 pct., .365 3-pt., 15.5 ppg.
Explanation: Scoring seems to be what interests him most and his opportunities increase with Irving sidelined. Needs to bring same attitude to games where scoring chances won’t be as easy to find.
SMART
With Irving: 26.3 minutes, .386 pct., .353 3-pt., 7.8 ppg;
Without: 30 minutes, .458 pct., .375 3-pt., 11 ppg.
Explanation: Ball is in his hands more without Irving, which leads to more chances to drive to the hoop. Not ideally suited to cash in on catch-and-shoot opportunities created by Irving sucking defense toward him and sending ball to perimeter.
HORFORD
With Irving: 29.6 minutes, .508 pct., .349 3-pt., 12.5 ppg;
Without: 27.3, .571, .478 3-pt., 13.6 ppg.
Explanation: Ball moves better when Irving not on court, which results in more wide-open shots and higher percentages.
TATUM
With Irving: 31.2 minutes, .448 pct., .381 3-pt., 15.9 ppg;
Without: 32.5 minutes, .473 pct., .370 3-pt., 18.8 ppg.
Explanation: He’s confident enough in his considerable scoring ability to seize opportunities regardless of which teammates are on court with him.
MORRIS
With Irving: 27.7 minutes, .478 pct., .417 3-pt., 14.4 ppg;
Without: 27.6 minutes, .467 pct., .366 3-pt., 15.1 ppg.
Explanation: A smart player with wide-ranging skill set, Morris knows how to fit in with anybody and isn’t afraid to let any teammate know if he’s not playing a winning style of basketball.
Twitter: @TomKeeganBoston