Brian Hoyer offers perspective for NFL’s off-field nightmares
September 15, 2014“Someday we will figure out how to beat those guys”
September 15, 2014It would appear that Kyrie Irving is all good. Just a week after taking a tough fall and leaving the game in the midst of a blow-out win, the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard comes back to the United States with a gold medal and a FIBA World Cup Tournament MVP award to add to his trophy case.
In a 129-92 win over Serbia, Irving dropped 26 points on 13 shots, including 6-for-6 from 3-point range—3-for-3 in the first quarter. His shot was falling, his passes were crisp and his one-on-one skills were next level.
During the tournament, Irving started all nine games for Team USA, producing incredibly efficient shooting numbers—heading into the weekend, he had been shooting 52% from the field and 47% from three point range. He showed a desire to play defense, plucking multiple steals per game. And he capped it all off by knocking out one hell of a Shmoney Dance.
It wasn’t long ago that some felt Irving, the two-time All-Star, did not belong on Team USA. Fortunately for the soon-to-be fourth-year pro, he had the chance to get the last laugh. As NBA.com’s Sekou Smith put best, The Cavaliers have Kevin Love. They have the best player in the world. And now they have best player at the World Cup, who is only 22 years old.
And he’s coming home healthy.
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Read a quick recap about the final that included this delish tidbit: despite never having played in a single playoff game, Irving didn’t buckle under the pressure of a high-leverage game. Color me excited.
Incredibly smart make-up for Team USA this time around. International ball is all about having shooters and rebounders. So, we just stacked the team with the best shooters and rebounders willing to come along. And, we win by 30pts/game.
To those individuals who underestimated Team USA because LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kevin Love wasn’t on the team:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxXEPk3dzFg
Nobody underestimated them this was the FIBA games not the Olympics which is why none of those guys played. The nice thing is the young guys showed they are more then capable which means LeBron and K-Love don’t need to play ever again.
Warm-up complete now lets get to the NBA season!!!
It seems like Irving plays much better (more inspired?) when he has superior talent around him (see: All-Star Weekend). So, maybe this bodes really, really well for this Cavs season?
Cousins was a beast and Drummond, sigh, I’m still kicking myself thinking about him in the middle of the current Cavaliers roster.
considering how things have played out, I don’t think anyone can complain. butterfly effect of drafting Drummond may have been not getting Wiggins and not having the assets to trade for Love (or including Drummond there).
This is true I can’t forget the Butterfly Effect, okay I feel better thanks!
It does mgbode well for the season! 😉
Derrick Rose’s stat line for the tournament: 4.8 PPG on 25.4% shooting. The youngest MVP of the league to this in three years. It’s unfortunate. I know the Bulls are supposed to be one of the Cav’s main rivals this season, but with Rose a shell of his former self, I can’t see them competing.
Nobody underestimated them? Tell that to the TV commentators who felt that Team USA weren’t the favorites to win because some of the top NBA players removed themselves off of the team. But I do agree that we no longer need them to win. 🙂
Which tv commentators the once who actually did the games never said it? That sounds like more created drama out of Bristol then anything. Not only did Team USA not have all it’s “stars” but many of the other countries had guys not playing.
Tom Tippytoes probably didn’t want him playing to much and as the tournament progressed he played less and less. I don’t see this as us seeing the real Derrick Rose. That being said I agree I’ll be shocked if he looks like the Derrick Rose pre-injuries.
Unfortunately I don’t remember who said those remarks now. Must be the scotch. Want some?
Scotch? Rich yuppie!
Didn’t see him play in this at all but that shooting percentage is scary. What a shame for the entire league if the young man has permanently lost it. I’m remembering the obviously unfair chorus of criticism last year when he was delaying his comeback.