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Celtics Basketball => Celtics Talk => Topic started by: smokeablount on September 18, 2017, 11:14:49 AM

Title: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: smokeablount on September 18, 2017, 11:14:49 AM
Kyrie is on 1st Take right now, getting interviewed by Max and Stephen A.

He sounds hungry to show he can be a true point guard and like he wants to shut up those who say he can't or won't play defense (I.E. Max Kellerman).

http://www.espn.com/watch/
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: tarheelsxxiii on September 18, 2017, 11:55:24 AM
Has he mentioned the reality that he lives in, or discussed things that are humanely human?
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: smokeablount on September 18, 2017, 12:02:24 PM
Has he mentioned the reality that he lives in, or discussed things that are humanely human?

Oh yeah.  He's pretty into reality. 
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Donoghus on September 18, 2017, 12:03:30 PM
People chiming in on his run-on sentences in 3....2....1....
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Phantom255x on September 18, 2017, 12:19:05 PM
Ugh can't watch because I'm in class now. Oh well, I'll just watch on Youtube later today.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Rosco917 on September 18, 2017, 12:24:52 PM
As long as he isn't talking about the brinks truck, I'm fine.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Monkhouse on September 18, 2017, 12:27:05 PM
Kyrie really didn't say much. I don't get why he can't just come out and say, "I don't want to be in Lebron's shadow anymore. I just want to be the man on my own team."

Its on Kyrie to be fundamentally honest, or he's going to get chewed out by the media.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: alley oop on September 18, 2017, 12:55:34 PM
Kyrie really didn't say much. I don't get why he can't just come out and say, "I don't want to be in Lebron's shadow anymore. I just want to be the man on my own team."

Its on Kyrie to be fundamentally honest, or he's going to get chewed out by the media.

He'll be judged by how he plays, not how he talks, and he knows that.  Unlike Lebron, he's not a drama creator.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: manl_lui on September 18, 2017, 01:08:30 PM
Kyrie sounds pretty mature in the interview but does SAS has to sound so p---ed off every interview?
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: RJ87 on September 18, 2017, 01:47:26 PM
Kyrie really didn't say much. I don't get why he can't just come out and say, "I don't want to be in Lebron's shadow anymore. I just want to be the man on my own team."

Its on Kyrie to be fundamentally honest, or he's going to get chewed out by the media.

Because I don't think that's what it is honestly. I think he wanted a more stable situation. He's probably tired of being at the mercy of LeBron's whims. This upcoming season is going to be a crapshow of "is LeBron gonna go to LA?" It's already started. LeBron is gonna be LeBron and feed into the drama, probably make some passive aggressive posts on Instagram and Twitter, and do the vague media double talk he usually does. Meanwhile, Dan Gilbert's doing his best Jekyll and Hyde impersonation in the background. It's gonna be a circus.

Realistically, Kyrie can't say all of this. No need to dump on LeBron and the franchise on the way out.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Dino Pitino on September 18, 2017, 01:49:25 PM
People chiming in on his run-on sentences in 3....2....1....

We should play Kyrie bingo.

Intent/Intentions
Perfecting craft
Individuals
Human
Evolve
Reality
Journey
Appreciative

It's almost like Kyrie had his agent print up flashcards with buzzwords and phrases, and since then he just practices improvising sentences with those words.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: footey on September 18, 2017, 01:51:18 PM
He wanted out of Lebron 's shadow. Wish granted. Move on.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: KG Living Legend on September 18, 2017, 02:00:41 PM

 #1 Takeaway is Adam Silver is Duke Alumni! That means he will aide us in our Dynasty run! The process has already begun!
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: JBcat on September 18, 2017, 02:00:56 PM
Kyrie really didn't say much. I don't get why he can't just come out and say, "I don't want to be in Lebron's shadow anymore. I just want to be the man on my own team."

Its on Kyrie to be fundamentally honest, or he's going to get chewed out by the media.

Because I don't think that's what it is honestly. I think he wanted a more stable situation. He's probably tired of being at the mercy of LeBron's whims. This upcoming season is going to be a crapshow of "is LeBron gonna go to LA?" It's already started. LeBron is gonna be LeBron and feed into the drama, probably make some passive aggressive posts on Instagram and Twitter, and do the vague media double talk he usually does. Meanwhile, Dan Gilbert's doing his best Jekyll and Hyde impersonation in the background. It's gonna be a circus.

Realistically, Kyrie can't say all of this. No need to dump on LeBron and the franchise on the way out.

Also I just think the Celtics offense verses Lebron I mean Cavs offense will be better for him. We have much more of a free flowing offense where the Cavs offense is like my turn your turn offense but mostly Lebron's turn. Lol
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Roy H. on September 18, 2017, 02:27:27 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: alley oop on September 18, 2017, 02:27:52 PM
.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: max215 on September 18, 2017, 02:34:00 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

I actually found that entertaining. He has a tremendous amount of confidence in himself. It's irrational confidence, but it's cool to see regardless.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: celticsclay on September 18, 2017, 02:40:38 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: The One on September 18, 2017, 02:41:12 PM
People chiming in on his run-on sentences in 3....2....1....

I think Kyrie is still talking...
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: max215 on September 18, 2017, 02:46:12 PM
I watched a few more clips. The LeBron jab was amusing, but the rest is downright hard to watch. Someone needs to tell Kyrie that not everything he says has to be profound. He speaks like he plays basketball, and he needs to get better at picking his spots.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Roy H. on September 18, 2017, 02:49:16 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?

Once the games start, I'll be rooting for him. I disagree with his priorities, and I disagree with the trade, but he's an undeniable offensive talent.

But since you asked, no, Fab Melo is probably my least favorite Celtic of the last five seasons. Sean Williams just missed the cut.

Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Green-18 on September 18, 2017, 02:52:14 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

I actually found that entertaining. He has a tremendous amount of confidence in himself. It's irrational confidence, but it's cool to see regardless.

I don't know how else Kyrie could have answered the question without presenting a straight up lie.  He could have refused to answer but at that point why would he even agree to go on First Take?  If Kyrie gave an unfiltered answer then he would probably talk about the media circus surrounding Cleveland, lack of organizational structure, and the double standards that exist on a team led by LeBron.  I honestly believe that Kyrie wanted to go to a team where he could just focus on playing basketball.  I believe he values the cohesiveness at all levels of our organization.  Our coach can coach, our GM can focus strictly on building a title contender, our ownership supports a winning culture, and Kyrie can just play basketball.  I think that sums it up.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: mainevent on September 18, 2017, 02:59:31 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?

I would say without a doubt! Roy has been hatin on him since the trade was announced. Wherever Kyrie Irving is mentioned you will find a negative Roy comment  ::)
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: mainevent on September 18, 2017, 03:07:21 PM
All of the Lebron nonsense aside, reading between the lines at some of his comments whenever he's been interviewed...I truly believe he feels that Brad can take him to that level of greatness he strives to be at.  It appears as if the coaching he's been getting is not elevating his game at this point in his career and probably can see the transformation of certain ex celtics players that came thru Brads system and he wants a piece of that bball knowledge.  Brad's a legit basketball mind and players are thriving under his tutelage.  Danny is moving the pieces but it's clear that it's BS that is turning this team into a destination.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: rocknrollforyoursoul on September 18, 2017, 03:13:20 PM
People chiming in on his run-on sentences in 3....2....1....

We should play Kyrie bingo.

Intent/Intentions
Perfecting craft
Individuals
Human
Evolve
Reality
Journey
Appreciative

It's almost like Kyrie had his agent print up flashcards with buzzwords and phrases, and since then he just practices improvising sentences with those words.

To me, this seems to be the case with most athletes. True, Kyrie uses a few words that others typically don't, but the general approach to the media, for 99% of athletes, is to use the same trite, tired expressions over and over: We played well, We executed, It was an unbelievable performance, blah blah, etc.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: RLewis35 on September 18, 2017, 03:52:16 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?

Once the games start, I'll be rooting for him. I disagree with his priorities, and I disagree with the trade, but he's an undeniable offensive talent.

But since you asked, no, Fab Melo is probably my least favorite Celtic of the last five seasons. Sean Williams just missed the cut.

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: KGBirdBias on September 18, 2017, 03:55:21 PM
I think Kobe has been a huge influence on Kyrie. He sounds like Kobe did when Shaq left.

I think Kyrie is just growing as a basketball player and man and didn't want to be in Bron's shawdow anymore. I can respect him for that...he's ready to take on new challenges of leading.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Roy H. on September 18, 2017, 03:57:48 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?

Once the games start, I'll be rooting for him. I disagree with his priorities, and I disagree with the trade, but he's an undeniable offensive talent.

But since you asked, no, Fab Melo is probably my least favorite Celtic of the last five seasons. Sean Williams just missed the cut.

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: RJ87 on September 18, 2017, 04:04:11 PM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Roy H. on September 18, 2017, 04:11:20 PM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.

Lol. Are those things you need to be close friends to assess?

Kyrie has talked about this being a business, and wanting to expand his brand. He felt the need to leave a three-time Finalist to do that.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Sketch5 on September 18, 2017, 04:16:47 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?

Once the games start, I'll be rooting for him. I disagree with his priorities, and I disagree with the trade, but he's an undeniable offensive talent.

But since you asked, no, Fab Melo is probably my least favorite Celtic of the last five seasons. Sean Williams just missed the cut.

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

In this interview I'm not getting that. He said he wants to play point,Lebron controlled the ball and yes I know Irving had it more, but he was being put into ISO situations because he's the best at getting his shot. But he said he wouldn't have to be in an ISO system, and he can get Hayward and Horford the ball and space.

There is nothing wrong with giving yourself the best opportunity to be the best you can be. He was almost traded for PG13 which means Lebron thinks he's better, and he can't play the way he wants to with Lebron. And if the King leaves, the team is still in cap hell with Love and Thompson. So Improving will be out unless they can make a trade, and who knows. He could see the writing on the wall, either he's going to get traded and have no say, or he's stuck in Cleveland with a meh team if Lebron leaves.

So him leaving for Boston, in an open court system gives him the best situation to get better and become the best player he can.

And yeah he sounded a bit smug, but look at Jordan,Bird,Kobe and their interviews. Especially pre-PC, Bird sound like an @$# half the time. Not saying Kyrie is in the same class as those guys, but he's dang good, and with that comes a bit of attitude. I mean IT oozed it, but that who he was and it was usually great.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: RIPRED on September 18, 2017, 04:25:57 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?

Once the games start, I'll be rooting for him. I disagree with his priorities, and I disagree with the trade, but he's an undeniable offensive talent.

But since you asked, no, Fab Melo is probably my least favorite Celtic of the last five seasons. Sean Williams just missed the cut.

RIP Fab
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: KGBirdBias on September 18, 2017, 04:37:09 PM
I just think Kyrie is growing. Haven't any of you left a job because you just felt like you had outgrown the situation. How about if you knew the company was going under, wouldn't you be looking for another job.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: More Banners on September 18, 2017, 04:58:04 PM
I just think Kyrie is growing. Haven't any of you left a job because you just felt like you had outgrown the situation. How about if you knew the company was going under, wouldn't you be looking for another job.

Jeez. He was only in Cleveland. You make it sound like he worked at Sears.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: GreenGoggles on September 18, 2017, 05:00:47 PM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.

Lol. Are those things you need to be close friends to assess?

Kyrie has talked about this being a business, and wanting to expand his brand. He felt the need to leave a three-time Finalist to do that.

Maybe he believes he has a better chance to win when he isn't on LeBron's team? Maybe he knows LeBron is leaving? Kyrie dodged so many questions I don't think we learned anything except he didn't want to be in Cleveland anymore.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: RIPRED on September 18, 2017, 05:03:33 PM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.

Lol. Are those things you need to be close friends to assess?

Kyrie has talked about this being a business, and wanting to expand his brand. He felt the need to leave a three-time Finalist to do that.

I see it more like this:

It's widely assumed LBJ is leaving CLE next year. Kyrie has already experienced CLE without LBJ, and it wasn't pretty. The CLE organization has clearly put a priority on keeping LBJ happy, possibly at the expense of Kyrie's happiness. The Cleveland organization is currently in a state of (perpetual?) chaos.

IMHO Kyrie is simply leaving before LBJ leaves him high and dry next year, and I see nothing wrong with that.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Roy H. on September 18, 2017, 05:05:21 PM
Maybe he believes he has a better chance to win when he isn't on LeBron's team?

Unless he developed a severe intellectual disorder, I doubt this is true.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: PhoSita on September 18, 2017, 05:11:49 PM
Is somebody allowed to care about winning but also want to seek career fulfillment by seeking a working situation where they will be allowed the freedom to fully explore their talent?


It's funny, I feel like a lot of the same people who criticized Durant for leaving OKC, ostensibly to have a better shot at winning, are the same folks now criticizing Kyrie for wanting a chance to define himself independent of LeBron.

I would say the fact that Bron is almost certainly leaving the Cavs next year had to be a big factor for Kyrie wanting out, also (perhaps LeBron even told him straight up, "I'm leaving in a year").   While that cuts against the notion of Kyrie being motivated by seeking a chance to be his own man, it also cuts against the criticism of him caring more about his personal brand than winning.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: RJ87 on September 18, 2017, 05:20:33 PM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.

Lol. Are those things you need to be close friends to assess?

Kyrie has talked about this being a business, and wanting to expand his brand. He felt the need to leave a three-time Finalist to do that.

Lol. You're claiming to know what his thought process is. I have yet to hear Kyrie say in an interview that he values himself over the team or his brand over winning. Even though he said multiple times in his press conference that he believes in the team over himself.

All players talk about this being a business. He's not the first, he won't be the last. Again, Kyrie hasn't said that he's leaving LBJ to further his brand. Either you're privy to information that the rest of us mere mortals don't have or you're making assumptions on his character based on your dislike of him.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: KGBirdBias on September 18, 2017, 05:49:25 PM
I just think Kyrie is growing. Haven't any of you left a job because you just felt like you had outgrown the situation. How about if you knew the company was going under, wouldn't you be looking for another job.

Jeez. He was only in Cleveland. You make it sound like he worked at Sears.

LOL too funny...being in Cleveland is worse than working at Sears. :-)
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Sixth Man on September 18, 2017, 07:40:52 PM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.

Lol. Are those things you need to be close friends to assess?

Kyrie has talked about this being a business, and wanting to expand his brand. He felt the need to leave a three-time Finalist to do that.

Lol. You're claiming to know what his thought process is. I have yet to hear Kyrie say in an interview that he values himself over the team or his brand over winning. Even though he said multiple times in his press conference that he believes in the team over himself.

All players talk about this being a business. He's not the first, he won't be the last. Again, Kyrie hasn't said that he's leaving LBJ to further his brand. Either you're privy to information that the rest of us mere mortals don't have or you're making assumptions on his character based on your dislike of him.

Wouldn't be the first, last or one-thousandth time.   ;)
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: wayupnorth on September 18, 2017, 07:57:14 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?

Once the games start, I'll be rooting for him. I disagree with his priorities, and I disagree with the trade, but he's an undeniable offensive talent.

But since you asked, no, Fab Melo is probably my least favorite Celtic of the last five seasons. Sean Williams just missed the cut.

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

How on earth can you conclude either of those things?

Your hate for him is getting irrational at this point.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Tr1boy on September 18, 2017, 08:06:42 PM
he must be sick and tired of the same questions
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Onslaught on September 18, 2017, 08:08:47 PM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.

Lol. Are those things you need to be close friends to assess?

Kyrie has talked about this being a business, and wanting to expand his brand. He felt the need to leave a three-time Finalist to do that.
In all fairness that three time Finalist team was going to be very different after this season when the real drama king departs again. And then he's left with a rebuilding team in the city of Cleveland. I'd want to get out too.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Phantom255x on September 18, 2017, 08:11:05 PM
Kyrie Irving Just Put Together The Greatest Defensive Performance In His Career!  :laugh:

BRAVO.

I really do hope he’s genuine about being excited to be in Boston and it’s not just him being smug and saying "I want to solely promote my brand and after demanding a trade I landed here so I guess that’s cool".

If he truly loves playing here (like Crowder, IT and others did), he can become a legitimate superstar PG (Top-3 PG along with likes of Westbrook, Curry).
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: nickagneta on September 18, 2017, 09:10:23 PM
Like many others I haven't seen comments coming out from Irving that he wants to promote his brand above all else or that's why he wanted out of Cleveland. I also have never heard him say anything about why he didn't want to stay there. If you are reading his intentions based on him wanting out of Cleveland, that's your assumption and it may be a wrong or bad one. The KI I have seen in heard in public since the teade is saying all the right things. We will see if he backs that up on the court.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: LilRip on September 18, 2017, 09:51:28 PM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?

Once the games start, I'll be rooting for him. I disagree with his priorities, and I disagree with the trade, but he's an undeniable offensive talent.

But since you asked, no, Fab Melo is probably my least favorite Celtic of the last five seasons. Sean Williams just missed the cut.

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Lol the hate is strong

To quote Kyrie in his opening presser, "Is there ever such thing as one person carrying a whole team? I don’t think so."
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Beat LA on September 18, 2017, 11:34:51 PM
Kyrie is on 1st Take right now, getting interviewed by Max and Stephen A.

He sounds hungry to show he can be a true point guard and like he wants to shut up those who say he can't or won't play defense (I.E. Max Kellerman).

http://www.espn.com/watch/

Who dat?
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: crimson_stallion on September 18, 2017, 11:50:43 PM
Maybe he believes he has a better chance to win when he isn't on LeBron's team?

Unless he developed a severe intellectual disorder, I doubt this is true.

Have you considered that maybe Kyrie made this decision based on where he feels he has a better chance to win long term, rather than putting all of his eggs into one basket?

Cleveland were a mess right now.  They weren't beating Golden State, everybody knows that because they didn't even come CLOSE to beating them last season - and a Derrick Rose who has the body of a 50 year old isn't going to change that.

And if they don't beat Golden State, then Lebron probably walks after this season - just as he has done every other year when he has been on a team that has suddenly lost its ability to contend. 

And if Lebron leaves Cleveland then the team is left in the hands of an amateur GM, after the much loved former GM (who did a pretty great job up until now) left the team.

So now you have a Cavs team built around Kyrie and Kevin Love, that (even after losing Lebron) is still well above the salary cap, that would no doubt make the playoffs but would have no hope of competing for a title...and a roster on which the average player age is probably 32.

Chances are that if Lebron leaves Cleveland probably goes through a full rebuild with Kyrie as the central piece - and now Kyrie has to ensure the next 3-6 years playing on a lottery bound team with no chance of winning, while playing mentor to a stream of upcoming rookies year after year.

Or he could ask to be moved to a team who actually has some kind of certainty to their future - a relatively young team that is already competitive, where he can be the #1 guy and hopefully be the man to lead that team to the  finals for the next 5 years.

What teams are there in the east like that?  Washington yeah, but they already have a star PG in Wall who they are highly unlikely to trade for Kyrie (a sideways move, maybe even a downgrade). You have Charlotte,  they aren't bad and you have to think Kyrie is an upgrade over Kemba Walker - but other then Walker what else does Charlotte have that Cleveland would possibly want to help their future in the case of Lebron leaving? Frank Kaminsky?  Not good enough.  Michael Kidd Gilchrist?  Too much of a liability on offense.  They could probably put something together, but probably nothing that Cleveland loves.

Phoenix could offer a package based around Bledsoe, but Kyrie is not likely interested in moving to Phoenix - a garbage lottery team in the West that likely won't sniff the playoffs got half a decade. 

The could try to facilitate a trade with Philly for Fultz, but Lebron doesn't want an unproven  rookie PG - that's not going to convince him to stay.

Boston made sense for both team and player.  Cleveland got a great haul, and Kyrie got to go to the second best team in the East - a team who (if Lebron leaves next year) could very rapidly become the BEST team in the East, while happening to also be one of the youngest teams in the NBA with only two guys (Baynes and Horford) over 30 on the roster, this is a team Kyrie can join which has a great shot at being a perennial Eastern Conference contender for the next 5+ years, which is more appealing then a Cleveland team which PROBABLY makes the finals this year, but then may very easily go full rebuilt for the next four.

This is something you have to consider.  These guys aren't just looking at today, or tomorrow.  They are making decisions for their future.  And Kyrie's future is FAR brighter in Boston then it projected to be in Cleveland.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Roy H. on September 18, 2017, 11:54:37 PM
Maybe he believes he has a better chance to win when he isn't on LeBron's team?

Unless he developed a severe intellectual disorder, I doubt this is true.

Have you considered that maybe Kyrie made this decision based on where he feels he has a better chance to win long term, rather than putting all of his eggs into one basket?

Cleveland were a mess right now.  They weren't beating Golden State, everybody knows that because they didn't even come CLOSE to beating them last season - and a Derrick Rose who has the body of a 50 year old isn't going to change that.

And if they don't beat Golden State, then Lebron probably walks after this season - just as he has done every other year when he has been on a team that has suddenly lost its ability to contend. 

And if Lebron leaves Cleveland then the team is left in the hands of an amateur GM, after the much loved former GM (who did a pretty great job up until now) left the team.

So now you have a Cavs team built around Kyrie and Kevin Love, that (even after losing Lebron) is still well above the salary cap, that would no doubt make the playoffs but would have no hope of competing for a title...and a roster on which the average player age is probably 32.

Chances are that if Lebron leaves Cleveland probably goes through a full rebuild with Kyrie as the central piece - and now Kyrie has to ensure the next 3-6 years playing on a lottery bound team with no chance of winning, while playing mentor to a stream of upcoming rookies year after year.

Or he could ask to be moved to a team who actually has some kind of certainty to their future - a relatively young team that is already competitive, where he can be the #1 guy and hopefully be the man to lead that team to the  finals for the next 5 years.

What teams are there in the east like that?  Washington yeah, but they already have a star PG in Wall who they are highly unlikely to trade for Kyrie (a sideways move, maybe even a downgrade). You have Charlotte,  they aren't bad and you have to think Kyrie is an upgrade over Kemba Walker - but other then Walker what else does Charlotte have that Cleveland would possibly want to help their future in the case of Lebron leaving? Frank Kaminsky?  Not good enough.  Michael Kidd Gilchrist?  Too much of a liability on offense.  They could probably put something together, but probably nothing that Cleveland loves.

Phoenix could offer a package based around Bledsoe, but Kyrie is not likely interested in moving to Phoenix - a garbage lottery team in the West that likely won't sniff the playoffs got half a decade. 

The could try to facilitate a trade with Philly for Fultz, but Lebron doesn't want an unproven  rookie PG - that's not going to convince him to stay.

Boston made sense for both team and player.  Cleveland got a great haul, and Kyrie got to go to the second best team in the East - a team who (if Lebron leaves next year) could very rapidly become the BEST team in the East, while happening to also be one of the youngest teams in the NBA with only two guys (Baynes and Horford) over 30 on the roster, this is a team Kyrie can join which has a great shot at being a perennial Eastern Conference contender for the next 5+ years, which is more appealing then a Cleveland team which PROBABLY makes the finals this year, but then may very easily go full rebuilt for the next four.

This is something you have to consider.  These guys aren't just looking at today, or tomorrow.  They are making decisions for their future.  And Kyrie's future is FAR brighter in Boston then it projected to be in Cleveland.

Then why were the Knicks a top-5 destination for him?
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: crimson_stallion on September 19, 2017, 12:02:49 AM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?

Once the games start, I'll be rooting for him. I disagree with his priorities, and I disagree with the trade, but he's an undeniable offensive talent.

But since you asked, no, Fab Melo is probably my least favorite Celtic of the last five seasons. Sean Williams just missed the cut.

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Lol the hate is strong

To quote Kyrie in his opening presser, "Is there ever such thing as one person carrying a whole team? I don’t think so."

Honestly, it's starting to get ridiculous...
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: RockinRyA on September 19, 2017, 12:39:16 AM
I dont like the trade, because we traded a guy who wanted to be on our team for a guy who wanted out of his team.

Now, I wont pretend to know the exact reason why Kyrie did what he did, nor am I going to second guess what Ainge was thinking. But Kyrie is a Celtic now and I will root for him with all my heart. I will support him like how I supported IT, Smart, Brown or Zeller, Melo and Sully. I will wish him the best, whatever he did in Cleveland, good or bad, I don't care now. What matters is what he does for the Celtics.

Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: KG Living Legend on September 19, 2017, 12:42:38 AM
Kyrie Irving Just Put Together The Greatest Defensive Performance In His Career!  :laugh:

BRAVO.

I really do hope he’s genuine about being excited to be in Boston and it’s not just him being smug and saying "I want to solely promote my brand and after demanding a trade I landed here so I guess that’s cool".

If he truly loves playing here (like Crowder, IT and others did), he can become a legitimate superstar PG (Top-3 PG along with likes of Westbrook, Curry).





 He left 5.8 Million Dollars on the table to Join the Boston Celtics. That was just the trade kicker. He will lose more than that.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: crimson_stallion on September 19, 2017, 12:51:53 AM
Maybe he believes he has a better chance to win when he isn't on LeBron's team?

Unless he developed a severe intellectual disorder, I doubt this is true.

Have you considered that maybe Kyrie made this decision based on where he feels he has a better chance to win long term, rather than putting all of his eggs into one basket?

Cleveland were a mess right now.  They weren't beating Golden State, everybody knows that because they didn't even come CLOSE to beating them last season - and a Derrick Rose who has the body of a 50 year old isn't going to change that.

And if they don't beat Golden State, then Lebron probably walks after this season - just as he has done every other year when he has been on a team that has suddenly lost its ability to contend. 

And if Lebron leaves Cleveland then the team is left in the hands of an amateur GM, after the much loved former GM (who did a pretty great job up until now) left the team.

So now you have a Cavs team built around Kyrie and Kevin Love, that (even after losing Lebron) is still well above the salary cap, that would no doubt make the playoffs but would have no hope of competing for a title...and a roster on which the average player age is probably 32.

Chances are that if Lebron leaves Cleveland probably goes through a full rebuild with Kyrie as the central piece - and now Kyrie has to ensure the next 3-6 years playing on a lottery bound team with no chance of winning, while playing mentor to a stream of upcoming rookies year after year.

Or he could ask to be moved to a team who actually has some kind of certainty to their future - a relatively young team that is already competitive, where he can be the #1 guy and hopefully be the man to lead that team to the  finals for the next 5 years.

What teams are there in the east like that?  Washington yeah, but they already have a star PG in Wall who they are highly unlikely to trade for Kyrie (a sideways move, maybe even a downgrade). You have Charlotte,  they aren't bad and you have to think Kyrie is an upgrade over Kemba Walker - but other then Walker what else does Charlotte have that Cleveland would possibly want to help their future in the case of Lebron leaving? Frank Kaminsky?  Not good enough.  Michael Kidd Gilchrist?  Too much of a liability on offense.  They could probably put something together, but probably nothing that Cleveland loves.

Phoenix could offer a package based around Bledsoe, but Kyrie is not likely interested in moving to Phoenix - a garbage lottery team in the West that likely won't sniff the playoffs got half a decade. 

The could try to facilitate a trade with Philly for Fultz, but Lebron doesn't want an unproven  rookie PG - that's not going to convince him to stay.

Boston made sense for both team and player.  Cleveland got a great haul, and Kyrie got to go to the second best team in the East - a team who (if Lebron leaves next year) could very rapidly become the BEST team in the East, while happening to also be one of the youngest teams in the NBA with only two guys (Baynes and Horford) over 30 on the roster, this is a team Kyrie can join which has a great shot at being a perennial Eastern Conference contender for the next 5+ years, which is more appealing then a Cleveland team which PROBABLY makes the finals this year, but then may very easily go full rebuilt for the next four.

This is something you have to consider.  These guys aren't just looking at today, or tomorrow.  They are making decisions for their future.  And Kyrie's future is FAR brighter in Boston then it projected to be in Cleveland.

Then why were the Knicks a top-5 destination for him?

Ok, think about this one. 

Lets say Kyrie stays in Cleveland, they lose to the Warriors, Lebron splits next year. 

First things first, Cleveland is over the cap - so it cannot sign anybody.  And nobody on the team beyond Kyrie really has any trade value - their next best asset is Kevin Love, and Clevleand has been trying to dangle him as trade bait for years with no success.  And you have no picks of value either, since you've been dominant the past 3 years. So the first step Cleveland has to take in this rebuild process is to clear our all of their undesirable contracts, which would include (at the very least)...

* Kevin Love - $22.6M x 3 (too old to rebuild around)
* Iman Shumpert - $10.3M x 2 (bad contract)
* JR Smith - $13.8M x 3 (bad contract and too old)
* Kyle Korver - $7M x 3 (too hold for rebuild)

Those contracts add up to $56.2M which accounts for 56.7% of Cleveland's salary cap...all taken up by what are pretty much dead-weight players.  Based on Boston's own experience (trying to ditch guys like Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphreys, Rondo, etc) clearing contracts isn't always especially easy, and you don't always get a lot back.  So Cleveland probably has to spend the next entire season or two (or worst case, even three) trying to clear all of those contracts off their books before they can actually free up max cap space to pursue a serious free agent.  So by now two years have passed, Kyrie is 27, Tristan Thompson is 28 - and finally you are ready to actually go after talent...

Now you're stuck trying to build a team around Kyrie and Tristan Thompson - both in their prime and approaching the end of their contracts.  That's not exactly an all star core to try to attract free agents with.  Then on top of that you are Cleveland - a city nobody wants to play for, and a franchise which has been a losing franchise every single year Lebron hasn't been there.  Not exactly attractive either.  So maybe it takes you two years before you finally get an All-Star to sign with you.  Now Kyrie is 29. Thompson is 28 - and you're still only JUST starting to assemble your team...and Kyrie has just wasted a good 4 years of his career.

Now lets look at option #1 - trade to New York.

Because Kyrie's $7M trade kicker would have put his salary at $26M, which would have allowed the Cavs to trade him to the Knicks for Carmelo straight up, with a pick's easily thrown in as compensation. 

Lebron gets his sidekick in Melo so he's happy, might be enough to convince him to stay in Cleveland for another year or two. 

For Kyrie he (25 YO) gets to join Porzingis (22 YO) and Tim Hardaway Jr (25 YO) to form what is actually a pretty promising young core.  Given how weak the East is, that is a team that is legitimately one big piece away from being a strong playoff team for the next 5 years - all the Knicks need to do is find that piece.  Further to this, the Knicks have a pretty decent salary makeup for a young upcoming team - there is only one guy on the roster who is over 30 AND is making over $7M a year, and that is Joakhim Noah.  Even his contact isn't really THAT bad, and could probably be waived easily enough using the stretch provision to bring the Knicks under the cap.  And if you eventually clear cap space, then the Knicks have proven again and again that their city, their status as a big money spender and their status as a huge market team, continues to be a big attraction for free agents - as indicated by guys like Carmelo, Amare. Derrick Rose, and now Kyrie.  So put a decent young team there, and it's only a matter of time before some star free agent wants to sign up and join them among the bright lights.   

Is this the PERFECT scenario?  No.  But it's hardly a terrible one, and it's a HELL of a lot brighter then the Cleveland alternative.

Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: trickybilly on September 19, 2017, 02:15:55 AM
"I have a presence and aura about me that is very reality based"

Surprised he wasn't better prepared to deal with those obvious "what was wrong in Cleveland with LeBron" questions. That being said, I have no problem with Kyrie's dumbfounded reaction to the "did you talk to LeBron first".

His answer about wanting to be a PG was nice. "Getting out on the break, making plays for other guys  :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: crimson_stallion on September 19, 2017, 03:12:29 AM
I dont like the trade, because we traded a guy who wanted to be on our team for a guy who wanted out of his team.

Now, I wont pretend to know the exact reason why Kyrie did what he did, nor am I going to second guess what Ainge was thinking. But Kyrie is a Celtic now and I will root for him with all my heart. I will support him like how I supported IT, Smart, Brown or Zeller, Melo and Sully. I will wish him the best, whatever he did in Cleveland, good or bad, I don't care now. What matters is what he does for the Celtics.

Now to be fair - didn't Isaiah want out of Phoenix when we traded for him?  In his case I think he wanted out because their three PG rotation was holding him back, and once he came to Boston he fit right in and loved the place. 

At the end of the day everybody has their reasons, and I don't think we can really judge a person for wanting a change without knowing what their reasons are.

I have left a job in the past when I was working for a great company, with good pay, good perks (complimentary health insurance, company shares, etc), a great team, etc.  Many would probably think I'm crazy for leaving that - but I had my reasons.  I left (mainly) because the job itself was a step backwards in terms of responsibilities and involved quite basic and unrewarding work - there was very little opportunity for me to learn or to grow professionally.  Because I was still pretty young at the time and still had a long way to go in my career, I was quite happy to trade some short term benefits (reduced salary, etc) in exchange for professional growth that would benefit my career in the long term.

What we have to remember here is that while we look at this guys basically as entertainers (and feel like it's up to them to do what makes us, as fans, happy) - for them this is a job and a career. 

So for Kyrie the decision to want to get out of Cleveland may not be sinister or evil at all - it may well be that he just feels he has learnt all he can learn in Cleveland given the role he plays, and the people he has around him.  Maybe he feels that the only way for him to take that next step and grow as a profession is to take on a fresh start in a new place - somewhere he can take on a different role, take on a larger responsibility, and be surrounded by a new group of people (e.g. Brad Stevens).  Maybe Kyrie is willing to sacrifice one or two perks now (almost certain finals run, a chance to play with Lebron, etc) in exchange for a chance for professional growth that could benefit his career long term.

Can't really criticise him for that.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Celtics4ever on September 19, 2017, 06:28:40 AM
With the way some fans are not embracing him it will surely cause hm not to sign.   Hopefully, once the jersey is on his chest people will change and cheer for the guy.   

I will be the first guy to rip him if he does not give a decent effort night in and night out.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Big333223 on September 19, 2017, 08:39:53 AM
With the way some fans are not embracing him it will surely cause hm not to sign.   Hopefully, once the jersey is on his chest people will change and cheer for the guy.   

I will be the first guy to rip him if he does not give a decent effort night in and night out.
Winning solves everything.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Dino Pitino on September 19, 2017, 08:55:46 AM
Has he mentioned the reality that he lives in, or discussed things that are humanely human?

He emphasizes reality and human so much it makes me wonder if he used to believe he was captured by a UFO and he now repeats that he's a human who lives in a reality-based world as part of his recovery.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: RLewis35 on September 19, 2017, 09:20:50 AM
With the Lebron question I thought he came across as smug.

Is he your least favorite celtic of last 5 years right now?

Once the games start, I'll be rooting for him. I disagree with his priorities, and I disagree with the trade, but he's an undeniable offensive talent.

But since you asked, no, Fab Melo is probably my least favorite Celtic of the last five seasons. Sean Williams just missed the cut.

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Where do you get himself over team?  On first take he specifically says he is looking forward to being a complete pg and "playing his position".  It is no question he was relegated to ISO scoring guard for the most part in Cleveland and the rest of the team was built around lebrons strengths - not kyries. boston and San Antonio were allegedly the top two teams on his list - his real list not the one first reported by woj.  It also sounds like kyrie was disappointed in level of coachin in Cleveland.

Does someone who wants better coaching, better team basketball, and wants to be a complete PG rather than scoring guard only sound like someone who puts himself over team?

I'm just not sure where your distaste for kyrie comes from.  I loved IT and am bummed that he won't be part of our org for years to come, but IT constant "back up the brinks truck" mantra was putting me before team - wasn't it? What has kyrie said that's me over team?
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: timpiker on September 19, 2017, 09:21:37 AM
The questions by those 2 asses made me realize why Kyrie wanted out - they basically ask him if he asked LeBUM for permission to seek a trade.  Any man would feel belittled in an environment like that.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: IDreamCeltics on September 19, 2017, 09:32:45 AM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.

Lol. Are those things you need to be close friends to assess?

Kyrie has talked about this being a business, and wanting to expand his brand. He felt the need to leave a three-time Finalist to do that.

I see it more like this:

It's widely assumed LBJ is leaving CLE next year. Kyrie has already experienced CLE without LBJ, and it wasn't pretty. The CLE organization has clearly put a priority on keeping LBJ happy, possibly at the expense of Kyrie's happiness. The Cleveland organization is currently in a state of (perpetual?) chaos.

IMHO Kyrie is simply leaving before LBJ leaves him high and dry next year, and I see nothing wrong with that.

What's the motivation to leave BEFORE Lebron leaves though?  Why not just contend for a championship again this year and force a trade next year when Lebron leaves?  You're not in any worse of a position then. 

This was an emotional decision based on reasoning none of us are privy too.  If you want to "grow your brand" the best way to do that is by winning another championship.  If you want to "elevate your game and work on your craft" you do that by training with the best player in the world and competing at and against the highest level every day.  Does it really make sense to anyone that in year 6, after having the best statistical season of his career, Kyrie is suddenly concerned he's not being coached up enough?

The only thing I'm sure about after that interview is that Kyrie wasn't being 100% forthright.  Any time someone gives a 1000 word answer where a 1 word answer would suffice you know the BS is flowing.

My best guess is that after the finals Lebron told Kyrie that his lack of defense hurt the team.  Kyrie, tired of hearing for years how much his defense sucks when he's a transcendent offensive player who's not allowed to run his team's offense, took it poorly started passive-aggressively sniping at Lebron on social media and then forced a trade to Boston.

And you know what?  It doesn't really matter.  Maybe he thinks he's better than Lebron, maybe he thinks he could out-coach Tyronn Lue, maybe he really wanted to play with his friend Jason Tatum.  At some point the interviews will stop and this guy will have to lace up and play.  We'll know a lot more about him after this 82 game season than we would after 82 more interviews like that.   

It took me a long time to figure it out, but the player Kyrie reminds me of the most is Kareem Abdul-Jabar.  Kareem was another ego-centric unstoppable offensive player that wanted to seem more profoundly intelligent than everyone else, and never wanted to play defense.  Like Kyrie, Kareem could do things offensively no one else was capable of.  Also like Kyrie, Kareem was a first overall pick who played his first six seasons in Milwaukee winning one championship before requesting a trade.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: green_bballers13 on September 19, 2017, 10:36:28 AM
Newsflash: Many high achievers are singularly focused. In all industries and roles.

I would love to hear people break down how selfish CEOs, popstars, etc. are.

Yes, basketball is a team game, but it attracts stars with huge egos. People that have been lauded since they were 8 years old.

From this perspective, I don't find Kyrie to be that selfish, on a relative basis.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: moiso on September 19, 2017, 10:50:25 AM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.
"I was just very patient in my approach.  Understanding what the magnitude of the moment was.  I wasn't going to allow anything else to get in the way of our team's success.  I was just very diligent, very professional in terms of this whole entire process."

I know he is prone to not making sense in how he puts his sentences together, but when he says "our team's success" it surely looks like he is talking about his personal team... his brand.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: smokeablount on September 19, 2017, 10:53:22 AM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.
"I was just very patient in my approach.  Understanding what the magnitude of the moment was.  I wasn't going to allow anything else to get in the way of our team's success.  I was just very diligent, very professional in terms of this whole entire process."

I know he is prone to not making sense in how he puts his sentences together, but when he says "our team's success" it surely looks like he is talking about his personal team... his brand.

I'm pretty sure he's talking about keeping his discontent on the DL so as not to disrupt his team's success, as in the Cavs.  After all, it wasn't Kyrie that leaked his trade demands.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: incoherent on September 19, 2017, 11:04:43 AM
I'm laughing at people crying about Kyrie wanting to get out of Lebrons shadow.

The reality is the Celtics, NOT THE CAVS, will have the best chance to win a ring in the east over the next 5 years. 

The Cavs are done, they are have ONE more run in them, and everyone knows it.

Why is this conversation about Kyrie wanting to be the man? He is obviously going to the team that gives him the best chance to win over the next 5 years. 

Does anyone here want to dispute that? I havent heard Lebron commit to the Cavs. He won't.

The Cavs are done after 1 year, Kyrie jumped ship 1 year earlier then Lebron is going to jump ship.

Keep talking about how Kyrie is selfish though, that's all you have.


Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: tarheelsxxiii on September 19, 2017, 11:05:00 AM
Has he mentioned the reality that he lives in, or discussed things that are humanely human?

He emphasizes reality and human so much it makes me wonder if he used to believe he was captured by a UFO and he now repeats that he's a human who lives in a reality-based world as part of his recovery.

Entirely possible.  He may also be a philosopher, like an existentialist.  e.g., Being and Nothingness is his bathroom reading material. 
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: smokeablount on September 19, 2017, 11:08:16 AM
Kyrie is on 1st Take right now, getting interviewed by Max and Stephen A.

He sounds hungry to show he can be a true point guard and like he wants to shut up those who say he can't or won't play defense (I.E. Max Kellerman).

http://www.espn.com/watch/

Who dat?

Forgive me if I'm missing a joke or something, Kellerman is the co-host of First Take.  He put Kyrie on the spot about playing good D at times, but generally being happy just coasting.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: smokeablount on September 19, 2017, 11:20:15 AM
As you can probably guess by now I listen to First Take at work, and they just spent about 15 minutes with Will Caine reacting to Kyrie's interview yesterday.  Everyone but Stephen A. was very hard on him, which seems fair to me. 

It's over now so I'm not going to post a link to the live stream, but wanted to give a heads up so you all can find it on YouTube later if you're interested in analysis from decent talking heads.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: tarheelsxxiii on September 19, 2017, 11:37:58 AM
As you can probably guess by now I listen to First Take at work, and they just spent about 15 minutes with Will Caine reacting to Kyrie's interview yesterday.  Everyone but Stephen A. was very hard on him, which seems fair to me. 

It's over now so I'm not going to post a link to the live stream, but wanted to give a heads up so you all can find it on YouTube later if you're interested in analysis from decent talking heads.

If HR ever wants to know why you're listening to First Take at work, I'm sure one of our resident attorneys could be available for consult.  Maybe it'd help Roy take his mind off Kyrie.  :)
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: smokeablount on September 19, 2017, 01:27:08 PM
As you can probably guess by now I listen to First Take at work, and they just spent about 15 minutes with Will Caine reacting to Kyrie's interview yesterday.  Everyone but Stephen A. was very hard on him, which seems fair to me. 

It's over now so I'm not going to post a link to the live stream, but wanted to give a heads up so you all can find it on YouTube later if you're interested in analysis from decent talking heads.

If HR ever wants to know why you're listening to First Take at work, I'm sure one of our resident attorneys could be available for consult.  Maybe it'd help Roy take his mind off Kyrie.  :)

I'll just tell HR that First Take is central to my work reality... in which I'm humanely human.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: RockinRyA on September 19, 2017, 02:28:00 PM
I dont like the trade, because we traded a guy who wanted to be on our team for a guy who wanted out of his team.

Now, I wont pretend to know the exact reason why Kyrie did what he did, nor am I going to second guess what Ainge was thinking. But Kyrie is a Celtic now and I will root for him with all my heart. I will support him like how I supported IT, Smart, Brown or Zeller, Melo and Sully. I will wish him the best, whatever he did in Cleveland, good or bad, I don't care now. What matters is what he does for the Celtics.

Now to be fair - didn't Isaiah want out of Phoenix when we traded for him?  In his case I think he wanted out because their three PG rotation was holding him back, and once he came to Boston he fit right in and loved the place. 

At the end of the day everybody has their reasons, and I don't think we can really judge a person for wanting a change without knowing what their reasons are.

I have left a job in the past when I was working for a great company, with good pay, good perks (complimentary health insurance, company shares, etc), a great team, etc.  Many would probably think I'm crazy for leaving that - but I had my reasons.  I left (mainly) because the job itself was a step backwards in terms of responsibilities and involved quite basic and unrewarding work - there was very little opportunity for me to learn or to grow professionally.  Because I was still pretty young at the time and still had a long way to go in my career, I was quite happy to trade some short term benefits (reduced salary, etc) in exchange for professional growth that would benefit my career in the long term.

What we have to remember here is that while we look at this guys basically as entertainers (and feel like it's up to them to do what makes us, as fans, happy) - for them this is a job and a career. 

So for Kyrie the decision to want to get out of Cleveland may not be sinister or evil at all - it may well be that he just feels he has learnt all he can learn in Cleveland given the role he plays, and the people he has around him.  Maybe he feels that the only way for him to take that next step and grow as a profession is to take on a fresh start in a new place - somewhere he can take on a different role, take on a larger responsibility, and be surrounded by a new group of people (e.g. Brad Stevens).  Maybe Kyrie is willing to sacrifice one or two perks now (almost certain finals run, a chance to play with Lebron, etc) in exchange for a chance for professional growth that could benefit his career long term.

Can't really criticise him for that.

Like I sais, I dont want to pretend to know what his reasons are, and I am also not going to assume what was ITs reason to want out of phoenix. IT wanted to remain with the Celtics, Kyrie wanted to leave Cleveland. Whatever IT did in phoenix doesnt change that fact.

And like I said, I will support Kyrie now because he is a Celtic. I dont care what his reasons are for leaving cleveland.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Big333223 on September 19, 2017, 04:04:21 PM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.
"I was just very patient in my approach.  Understanding what the magnitude of the moment was.  I wasn't going to allow anything else to get in the way of our team's success.  I was just very diligent, very professional in terms of this whole entire process."

I know he is prone to not making sense in how he puts his sentences together, but when he says "our team's success" it surely looks like he is talking about his personal team... his brand.

I'm pretty sure he's talking about keeping his discontent on the DL so as not to disrupt his team's success, as in the Cavs.  After all, it wasn't Kyrie that leaked his trade demands.
That's how I read it as well. It seems like he'd known for a while that he wanted out of Cleveland but still played out the year as a professional.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: mmmmm on September 19, 2017, 05:29:23 PM
I dont like the trade, because we traded a guy who wanted to be on our team for a guy who wanted out of his team.

Now, I wont pretend to know the exact reason why Kyrie did what he did, nor am I going to second guess what Ainge was thinking. But Kyrie is a Celtic now and I will root for him with all my heart. I will support him like how I supported IT, Smart, Brown or Zeller, Melo and Sully. I will wish him the best, whatever he did in Cleveland, good or bad, I don't care now. What matters is what he does for the Celtics.

Now to be fair - didn't Isaiah want out of Phoenix when we traded for him?  In his case I think he wanted out because their three PG rotation was holding him back, and once he came to Boston he fit right in and loved the place. 


At least as far as actual quotes and such, that was Dragic, not Thomas, who was rumbling about getting out.

Though the buzz at the time was that none of the three guards (Dragic, Thomas, Bledsoe) was at all thrilled with the situation.   Dragic was simply the most vocal.

I got no axe on Kyrie's attitude or reasons for leaving.   All I care is how well he's going to perform for us.  He needs to be super-elite.

Oh - and I wish he'd grow the beard back.  I liked his beard.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Phantom255x on September 19, 2017, 09:22:05 PM
Man I saw the clip of them discussing Kyrie's interview yesterday and Will Cain absolutely went crazy raging against Kyrie saying he had no business sounding arrogant and what not to Max Kellerman   ::)

Well lets see guys, I get that Kyrie wasn't 100% straightforward to you, but Stephen A. Smith was 100% right, WHY IN THIS FLAT WORLD would Kyrie explicitly say "I hate Lebron", or "I'm just doing this for myself", etc.??

Max just seems butthurt he couldn't make Kyrie take the bait.

That being said, there were times where it was cringeworthy seeing Kyrie dodge the questions or retort back asking to "rephrase the question" LOL. Idk it just felt weird too. I do wonder why he even wanted to take this First Take interview LOL.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: tarheelsxxiii on September 19, 2017, 10:39:34 PM
I just watched a good chunk of the interview.  Man, this kid... 

I really, really dislike Kyrie Irving. 
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: crimson_stallion on September 19, 2017, 11:04:55 PM
I actually like him more after these interviews.

I am so happy to hear him say (pretty emphatically) that no, he DOESN'T need to tell Lebron about what he's doing. 

I'm so sick to death of people riding Lebron's schlong like he's god of the NBA.  He's a [dang] NBA player, just like every other NBA player.  He just happens to be an elite one - but he's still just a player.  He's not a team owner, he's not a GM, he's not a head coach.  He's not somebody who should have any decision making power within an organisation, and it's honestly none of his business what Kyrie decides to do with his career.

Has Lebron told Kyrie if he's going to stay in Cleveland next year?  Hell no he hasn't.  Did he tell his Cavs teammates before he left to sign in Miami the first time around? Hell no he didn't.  Did he tell Wade/Bosh before he decided to leave and sign in Clevleand?  Hell no he didn't - they were shocked when they found out. 

So why should Kyrie bestow this honour upon Lebron when he's never given that same honour to any of his past teamates?

Lebron gets given special treatment and is held to a different standard to everybody else, and it's garbage.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Beat LA on September 19, 2017, 11:38:26 PM
Kyrie is on 1st Take right now, getting interviewed by Max and Stephen A.

He sounds hungry to show he can be a true point guard and like he wants to shut up those who say he can't or won't play defense (I.E. Max Kellerman).

http://www.espn.com/watch/

Who dat?

Forgive me if I'm missing a joke or something, Kellerman is the co-host of First Take.  He put Kyrie on the spot about playing good D at times, but generally being happy just coasting.

Nope, no joke this time.  All I know about Mad Max and the Thunderdome (okay, one joke :laugh:) is that he replaced Skip Bayless, and other than seeing a thing that said he was a boxing announcer or something and was suspended from ESPN for domestic violence, iirc, I honestly know nothing about him and not just because I have no interest in boxing.  Dude just came out of nowhere.  Eh, it's just as well.  First Take is basically The View for guys, anyway, imo, and represents a lot of what is wrong with America.  Well, to me, at least, but I'm weird :-\.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: crimson_stallion on September 19, 2017, 11:55:54 PM

What are Kyrie's priorities that you disagree with?

His brand over winning.

Himself over team.

Didn't realize you and Kyrie had such a close relationship that you can so adeptly assess his priorities.
"I was just very patient in my approach.  Understanding what the magnitude of the moment was.  I wasn't going to allow anything else to get in the way of our team's success.  I was just very diligent, very professional in terms of this whole entire process."

I know he is prone to not making sense in how he puts his sentences together, but when he says "our team's success" it surely looks like he is talking about his personal team... his brand.

I honestly have no idea how you managed to twist his words around in your mind to draw that conclusion...based on the context (the question that was asked) and his answer, I think it's pretty obvious that his answer is indicative of complete selflessness. 

The questions at the time were basically asking:
* Has he been contemplating this for a while?
* Was the thought of leaving already on his mind during the season / playoffs / finals?
* If so, why did he keep it to himself during that time and not tell his team / teammates sooner?

His answer is that:
1: Yes, this was on his mind for a while

2: Yes, he was thinking of it well before last season's the playoffs / finals run

3: He didn't say anything because his team was focussed on winning a title, he wanted to focus 100% of his energy on the task at hand (winning), and he didn't want his personal ambitions / decisions to create a distraction to the team

I don't see how he could have answered any better.  If news of him wanting to move on came out during the playoffs, it absolutely would have created a media frenzy and a massive distraction for both the Cleveland staff and the team.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Fred Roberts on September 20, 2017, 12:30:51 AM
He won me over when he boldly requested out. He's his own man, and he wants to evolve elsewhere.

Flat Earth (serious or not), he strikes me as an intelligent guy.
I love that he's geeked out to be a Celtic.

Kellerman was so visibly desperate to lay into him, challenge him and get reactions .... I'm not surprised Irving ignored him.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: crimson_stallion on September 20, 2017, 12:42:42 AM
Kyrie is on 1st Take right now, getting interviewed by Max and Stephen A.

He sounds hungry to show he can be a true point guard and like he wants to shut up those who say he can't or won't play defense (I.E. Max Kellerman).

http://www.espn.com/watch/

Who dat?

Forgive me if I'm missing a joke or something, Kellerman is the co-host of First Take.  He put Kyrie on the spot about playing good D at times, but generally being happy just coasting.

Nope, no joke this time.  All I know about Mad Max and the Thunderdome (okay, one joke :laugh:) is that he replaced Skip Bayless, and other than seeing a thing that said he was a boxing announcer or something and was suspended from ESPN for domestic violence, iirc, I honestly know nothing about him and not just because I have no interest in boxing.  Dude just came out of nowhere.  Eh, it's just as well.  First Take is basically The View for guys, anyway, imo, and represents a lot of what is wrong with America.  Well, to me, at least, but I'm weird :-\.

A fair summary lol

It is a bit of a joke - between First Take and Undisputed, I honestly don't know which of the two is more ridiculous. 

First take is ridiculous because it does not matter WHAT argument Stephen A Smith comes up with or WHAT subject that argument is about - it's an absolute given that Max Kellerman will always take the complete opposite position.  Either they are the only two people on the face of the earth who can't ever find a single subject that they agree on, or Max just argues the opposite of Stephen A every single time not because he believes it, but just purely for the sake of creating argument/debate.

And Undisputed is ridiculous because somehow, someway, every single basketball related discussion somehow ends up coming down to Shanon riding Lebron's 'dingdong' while Skip tries to find ways to emphasise every time Lebron has failed at anything.

It's all pretty pathetic really, but I watch it from time to time because they all get so heated nd defensive that it's actually quite entertaining haha
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: crimson_stallion on September 20, 2017, 12:48:17 AM
He won me over when he boldly requested out. He's his own man, and he wants to evolve elsewhere.

Flat Earth (serious or not), he strikes me as an intelligent guy.
I love that he's geeked out to be a Celtic.

Kellerman was so visibly desperate to lay into him, challenge him and get reactions .... I'm not surprised Irving ignored him.

Yeh, I honestly felt Kellerman was incredibly rude (and is in general) and for no justifiable reason - purely in an attempt to try to lure him into saying something that would make him look like a bad guy.

To Stephen A's credit at least he will apologise if he asks a question that come across rude, or he'll at least try to be reasonable.  For Kyrie to have the balls to come on the show, when he knows full well he's going to get attacked - I respect that.  For Max to have a guess on the show and then blatantly attack him the entire time is IMHO just a classless move.

By around midway through the session you could see Kyrie was getting visibly frustrated, and huge credit to him for holding his tongue and not losing his cool.  I feel like every single interview Kyrie has taken so far has been filed with loaded questions trying to catch him out, put him on the sport, and trick him into saying negative things about the Cavs or his ex-teammates.  It's a credit to him that so far, he's been able to avoid doing that and has remained 100% professional. 
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Beat LA on September 20, 2017, 01:04:44 AM
I actually like him more after these interviews.

I am so happy to hear him say (pretty emphatically) that no, he DOESN'T need to tell Lebron about what he's doing. 

I'm so sick to death of people riding Lebron's schlong like he's god of the NBA.  He's a [dang] NBA player, just like every other NBA player.  He just happens to be an elite one - but he's still just a player.  He's not a team owner, he's not a GM, he's not a head coach.  He's not somebody who should have any decision making power within an organisation, and it's honestly none of his business what Kyrie decides to do with his career.

Has Lebron told Kyrie if he's going to stay in Cleveland next year?  Hell no he hasn't.  Did he tell his Cavs teammates before he left to sign in Miami the first time around? Hell no he didn't.  Did he tell Wade/Bosh before he decided to leave and sign in Clevleand?  Hell no he didn't - they were shocked when they found out. 

So why should Kyrie bestow this honour upon Lebron when he's never given that same honour to any of his past teamates?

Lebron gets given special treatment and is held to a different standard to everybody else, and it's garbage.

I imagine that that would be quite, well, hard *groan*, given all dem roids :laugh:. Let me see that schlong...:laugh:

All jokes aside, this is nothing compared to Michael Jordan's network, I mean, NBC, during the 90s.  Christ, you had a close personal friend as the main sideline reporter and jackasses like Bob Costas who probably had to be literally pulled out of dat angus following Jordan's retirement on the air constantly reminding viewers that MJ's poop just didn't stink, not to mention other minions like Jim Gray attempting to infiltrate Indiana's locker room to get a look at the plays, etc., on their white boards during the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals, at every turn.  Barf.  I just wish that someone had had the balls to ask Jordan and Pippen how they somehow never managed to foul despite routinely ripping guys' arms off and bumping them up the court, etc. I guess it's like David Stern said to Tommy during the 2010 Finals, "Maybe they just don't foul."  Tommy rolled his eyes.  L m a o I love that man :laugh:.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: crimson_stallion on September 20, 2017, 01:43:15 AM
I actually like him more after these interviews.

I am so happy to hear him say (pretty emphatically) that no, he DOESN'T need to tell Lebron about what he's doing. 

I'm so sick to death of people riding Lebron's schlong like he's god of the NBA.  He's a [dang] NBA player, just like every other NBA player.  He just happens to be an elite one - but he's still just a player.  He's not a team owner, he's not a GM, he's not a head coach.  He's not somebody who should have any decision making power within an organisation, and it's honestly none of his business what Kyrie decides to do with his career.

Has Lebron told Kyrie if he's going to stay in Cleveland next year?  Hell no he hasn't.  Did he tell his Cavs teammates before he left to sign in Miami the first time around? Hell no he didn't.  Did he tell Wade/Bosh before he decided to leave and sign in Clevleand?  Hell no he didn't - they were shocked when they found out. 

So why should Kyrie bestow this honour upon Lebron when he's never given that same honour to any of his past teamates?

Lebron gets given special treatment and is held to a different standard to everybody else, and it's garbage.

I imagine that that would be quite, well, hard *groan*, given all dem roids :laugh:. Let me see that schlong...:laugh:

All jokes aside, this is nothing compared to Michael Jordan's network, I mean, NBC, during the 90s.  Christ, you had a close personal friend as the main sideline reporter and jackasses like Bob Costas who probably had to be literally pulled out of dat angus following Jordan's retirement on the air constantly reminding viewers that MJ's poop just didn't stink, not to mention other minions like Jim Gray attempting to infiltrate Indiana's locker room to get a look at the plays, etc., on their white boards during the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals, at every turn.  Barf.  I just wish that someone had had the balls to ask Jordan and Pippen how they somehow never managed to foul despite routinely ripping guys' arms off and bumping them up the court, etc. I guess it's like David Stern said to Tommy during the 2010 Finals, "Maybe they just don't foul."  Tommy rolled his eyes.  L m a o I love that man :laugh:.

Totes man...the bias the media has in favour of Lebron is just shameful.

Kyrie said that he doesn't believe he had any obligation to tell Lebron of his plans, and it seems every publication out there is trying to shame him for it.

If I grow tired of my job and decide I want to move on, and that I'll be interviewing for new jobs, is there an expectation that I go up to the biggest hot-shot member of my team and tell him about it?  Of course there isn't.  Not only is it not expected, it's unprofessional. 

If anything I would notify my manager personally (in private) of my decision as a courtesy so that he/she has sufficient notice to start looking for a replacement staff member, while I myself am out looking for a replacement job.  That way I am giving them the best opportunity to move on from me as seamlessly as possible.

I'm not gong to go up to the top hot-shot staff member in my team and say "hey man, don't tell anybody this - but I'm over this place, I'm going to start looking for jobs and taking interviews!! Shh, don't tell anyone!!!  Oh and here is why I'm moving on...". 

That's not professional to tell a staff member before telling the business, and it's none of his [dang] business what my reasons are.

Only time I'd tell a staff member is if there is somebody in my team that I am very close to and have complete trust in, then maybe.  That's it.
Title: Re: Kyrie on First Take Right Now / Reactions to his Interview
Post by: Beat LA on September 20, 2017, 01:58:56 AM
A fair summary lol

It is a bit of a joke - between First Take and Undisputed, I honestly don't know which of the two is more ridiculous. 

First take is ridiculous because it does not matter WHAT argument Stephen A Smith comes up with or WHAT subject that argument is about - it's an absolute given that Max Kellerman will always take the complete opposite position.  Either they are the only two people on the face of the earth who can't ever find a single subject that they agree on, or Max just argues the opposite of Stephen A every single time not because he believes it, but just purely for the sake of creating argument/debate.

And Undisputed is ridiculous because somehow, someway, every single basketball related discussion somehow ends up coming down to Shanon riding Lebron's 'dingdong' while Skip tries to find ways to emphasise every time Lebron has failed at anything.

It's all pretty pathetic really, but I watch it from time to time because they all get so heated nd defensive that it's actually quite entertaining haha

Hmm, sounds more like a mix of Crossfire and The View.  Where's Jon Stewart when you need him? #I'mNotYourMonkey Anyway, what I noticed once during First Take when Skip was there was that while the latter was going off, Stephen A. wasn't even paying attention.  The guy was literally playing around on his iPad and then spends the next five minutes, at least, acting outraged at some part of whatever Skip said while ignoring everything else so that the rest of the "segment" is devoted to clearing up any confusion between those two clowns, hence my comment about how the show represents all that is wrong with this country.  It's not that we don't understand each other, it's that we don't even listen.  I mean, yeah, I get it, it's all rehearsed and stuff, but could you at least pretend to pay attention?

As for that other show, I've seen a segment or two on YouTube and I must say that what really bugs me about such a format is that here you've got a moron and Shannon "The Permanent Marker" "Sharpe :laugh: arguing about anything related to basketball.  Just stop.  I don't like football, but stay in your lane, Sharpe, lol.  Like that guy knows anything about basketball ::).  Yeah, I know, he's a former athlete, but that doesn't qualify him to talk about a sport he knows nothing about, at least imo, anyway.  It's just like Lou Merloni giving his "take" on anything related to the Celtics.  Please, just shut up, or Tom E. Curran during the Eastern Conference Finals literally saying that, while he wasn't in favor of physicality of the Kevin McHale-Kurt Rambis variety from 1983, - and which he uttered as if he knew everything, I might add - he did think that Boston needed to be tougher with Lebron.  Again, 1983, really?  What a moron.  You're a football guy.  You get more than enough time to talk about your dumb sport, so please don't attempt to pontificate on a subject about which you know absolutely nothing as evidenced by that "take", a word which I've come to hate.  I don't watch any of that crap, anymore, although I never really did in the first place.  Just give me Mike and Tommy and the rest of you please go away. #HeardItThroughTheDrapeVine

I also stopped watching ESPN in 2012 after Neil Everett mocked Paul Pierce following game 2 against the Heat, during which he fouled out, and the joke was something like why wasn't Pierce in the back in a wheelchair?  Seriously.  The pro-Lebron and pro-Kobe crap was already too much, and I know that ESPN has never liked the Celtics given that we have beaten those two golden boys in the past, but personally mocking a player?  That's taking it too far, in my eyes, and I haven't watched ESPN since then, which, from the look of things, seems to have been a good move, lol, as I'm certainly not missing out on anything :laugh:. I don't miss any of those clowns.

Unrelated: I'll give Kayce Smith credit - from the little I've seen and researched about her experience prior to coming to CSNNE - she really knows her stuff, but does it bother anyone else that she looks like she's going to a bar/party half the time that she's on the air?  Shouldn't she be wearing "professional attire" or whatever?  I just think it's ridiculous that the guys mostly wear some form of a dress shirt and/or a suit - particularly guests - and here she is in green leather leggings, heels, and a choker, not to mention a host of other inappropriate tops, imo, for TV.  Hello, isn't that what Instagram is for? ;) ::) :laugh: Case in point, look at this stuff -

https://www.instagram.com/p/BT7vhOSl8S4/?hl=en&taken-by=kayce_smith

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUiZCD9F3Wm/?hl=en&taken-by=kayce_smith

In theory, I guess that I'm supposed to be a part of the "target demographic", here, but it really p---es me off.  In before someone posts this Jack Nicholson gif, btw, lol :laugh: -

(http://replygif.net/i/163.gif)

Whatever.  Okay, end of rant :laugh:.