Brooklyn Nets: Complete grades for the 2019 NBA offseason
By Alec Liebsch
Kyrie Irving signing
Yep, the moment you were all waiting for. The ultimate method of coming full circle. The reason the Brooklyn Nets cleared so much cap space. It actually happened. Kyrie Irving is a Brooklyn Net.
To recruit Irving, DeAndre Jordan had to come too. For a player of Irving’s ilk, the Nets are glad to pay his friend. Rumors and reports of Irving coming to Brooklyn have been in the works for over a year, but they didn’t truly pick up until after his season with Boston ended.
For reasons mostly unknown (for now), Irving was not a fan of Boston. Whether it be the city itself, the butting of heads with younger players who succeeded in his absence, or what have you, it was a bad season in Beantown.
Brooklyn has benefited in the best way, as they now tie a bow on the horrid pick trade from so many moons ago. Boston used one of Brooklyn’s picks to trade for Irving (turned into Collin Sexton), and in the end, Irving signed with Brooklyn.
Some would “hate to C that.” Others shall rejoice.
In Irving, the Nets are getting an elite talent who fits exactly what Brooklyn wants to do. Irving has all of D’Angelo Russell’s tools, but he’s simply better. Though two inches shorter than DLo, Irving’s handle and shot-creation are off the charts.
He’s a wonderful fit in Atkinson’s system and will thrive in ways he’s never done anywhere else.
For those concerned that he could do an about-face like he’s done in Cleveland and Boston, consider one very simple word: Irving signed with the Nets.
He didn’t choose to get drafted to Cleveland, or for LeBron James to come and steal the spotlight (his rookie extension came two days before James’ return to Cleveland); he didn’t choose to get traded to Boston. He chose Brooklyn.
It is not biased to think Irving could win the MVP award this upcoming season. His partner in crime, Kevin Durant (we’ll get to him), is on the shelf for a season. Irving got legitimate MVP chatter early in his Boston tenure.
The Nets system helped Russell, a second option at best, win an All-Star bid and a max contract.
With a heavy diet of PNR and iso-ball, Irving should flourish. He’s a gifted scorer, willing passer, and filthy ball-handler. As long as he gives a damn on defense, it’s hard to see this marriage not working.
Obviously fit isn’t what makes this signing great; Kyrie Irving makes this an awesome addition. But basketball-wise, it’s hard to find a better one than Brooklyn.