Celtics Fall to Spurs, But Irving Continues to Rise
SAN ANTONIO – The
final few seconds of Friday night’s matchup in San Antonio must’ve felt like
déjà vu for Kyrie Irving.
final few seconds of Friday night’s matchup in San Antonio must’ve felt like
déjà vu for Kyrie Irving.
In the midst of an
incredible scoring effort, Irving had a chance to send his Celtics into
overtime against the Spurs, just like he had during his career-high 57-point
performance at AT&T Center three seasons prior as a member of the Cleveland
Cavaliers.
incredible scoring effort, Irving had a chance to send his Celtics into
overtime against the Spurs, just like he had during his career-high 57-point
performance at AT&T Center three seasons prior as a member of the Cleveland
Cavaliers.
This time, however,
his game-tying, corner-3 attempt at the buzzer didn’t fall through the net;
instead it took a 360-degree spin around the rim, before falling to the
hardwood to cap off a 105-102 defeat for the Celtics.
his game-tying, corner-3 attempt at the buzzer didn’t fall through the net;
instead it took a 360-degree spin around the rim, before falling to the
hardwood to cap off a 105-102 defeat for the Celtics.
“I thought it was cash
money,” Irving said of the 3-point attempt that would have upped his scoring
total to 39 points had it fallen. “I thought it was gong to hit the bottom of
the net, but obviously I didn’t put enough on it.”
money,” Irving said of the 3-point attempt that would have upped his scoring
total to 39 points had it fallen. “I thought it was gong to hit the bottom of
the net, but obviously I didn’t put enough on it.”
The miss came as a
surprise because Irving had been hitting shots left and right, not only Friday
night, but for the past three weeks. He entered Friday’s game shooting 57.6
percent from the field and 47.1 percent from 3-point range over his previous 10
games. He continued that trend against the Spurs by hitting 13-of-21 from the
field, including 6-of-10 from long range.
surprise because Irving had been hitting shots left and right, not only Friday
night, but for the past three weeks. He entered Friday’s game shooting 57.6
percent from the field and 47.1 percent from 3-point range over his previous 10
games. He continued that trend against the Spurs by hitting 13-of-21 from the
field, including 6-of-10 from long range.
Irving’s efficiency
over the last 11 games is an incredible improvement compared to his first 15
games, during which he shot 42.9 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from
downtown.
over the last 11 games is an incredible improvement compared to his first 15
games, during which he shot 42.9 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from
downtown.
What has caused this
sudden shooting spike?
sudden shooting spike?
For one, Irving says
he’s in much better condition than he was at the start of the season, as he is
more physically able to sustain the rigors of a 48-minute game now that he has
shaken off the summer rust.
he’s in much better condition than he was at the start of the season, as he is
more physically able to sustain the rigors of a 48-minute game now that he has
shaken off the summer rust.
Also, there’s the fact
that he’s growing more comfortable around his new teammates and is developing a
greater understanding of the Celtics’ style of play.
that he’s growing more comfortable around his new teammates and is developing a
greater understanding of the Celtics’ style of play.
“It’s just a whole
thing with getting used to the system, getting used to everybody,” said Irving,
who is shooting a career-best 49.6 percent from the field this season. “Just
being able to play with that mindset every single game and not (have) too many
questions that you have to go to coach to ask, like, ‘Where am I supposed to
be?’ or, ‘Can I back-cut on this one?’ It’s just all an understanding and being
able to watch the game and study it, and then be able to produce it out on the
floor.”
thing with getting used to the system, getting used to everybody,” said Irving,
who is shooting a career-best 49.6 percent from the field this season. “Just
being able to play with that mindset every single game and not (have) too many
questions that you have to go to coach to ask, like, ‘Where am I supposed to
be?’ or, ‘Can I back-cut on this one?’ It’s just all an understanding and being
able to watch the game and study it, and then be able to produce it out on the
floor.”
At the start of the
season, Brad Stevens was hit with questions regarding Irving’s early
inconsistency, but the coach stressed that it would only be a matter of time
before Irving’s production would improve.
season, Brad Stevens was hit with questions regarding Irving’s early
inconsistency, but the coach stressed that it would only be a matter of time
before Irving’s production would improve.
Sure enough, Irving’s
scoring average has increased by a full eight points over the last 11 games,
from 20.3 points per game to 28.3 PPG, while increasing his shot total by just
one extra field goal attempt per game.
scoring average has increased by a full eight points over the last 11 games,
from 20.3 points per game to 28.3 PPG, while increasing his shot total by just
one extra field goal attempt per game.
“We all talked about
it at the start of the year when he was just kind of finding his rhythm and
groove,” said Stevens. “He’s such a great shooter and has such special ability
and multiple different ways to have that ball find the net, that you’re not
worried about him when he goes into a little slump at any time because he’s
bound to make a ton in a row after that.”
it at the start of the year when he was just kind of finding his rhythm and
groove,” said Stevens. “He’s such a great shooter and has such special ability
and multiple different ways to have that ball find the net, that you’re not
worried about him when he goes into a little slump at any time because he’s
bound to make a ton in a row after that.”
Irving’s teammates
knew that he would show great improvement over the first few months, and they
also believe that he’s just scratching at the surface of his potential.
knew that he would show great improvement over the first few months, and they
also believe that he’s just scratching at the surface of his potential.
“He’s the best point
guard in the league in a lot of people’s opinion, and in my opinion,” said
Jaylen Brown, who had an efficient night of his own, dropping 15 points on
7-of-10 shooting. “He’s been doing great things for us all year, and he’s going
to continue to do it. He’s only going to get more and more comfortable and be
more and more dominant.”
guard in the league in a lot of people’s opinion, and in my opinion,” said
Jaylen Brown, who had an efficient night of his own, dropping 15 points on
7-of-10 shooting. “He’s been doing great things for us all year, and he’s going
to continue to do it. He’s only going to get more and more comfortable and be
more and more dominant.”
That’s why you
shouldn’t fret over Irving’s miss at the buzzer Friday night. He’s hit those
big shots time and time again over the course of his career, and he’ll surely
hit many more during his time with the Celtics, especially considering the way
he’s been shooting the ball of late.”
shouldn’t fret over Irving’s miss at the buzzer Friday night. He’s hit those
big shots time and time again over the course of his career, and he’ll surely
hit many more during his time with the Celtics, especially considering the way
he’s been shooting the ball of late.”
0 Komentar