Kyrie's popularity with other players around the league -- now I get it

[Ed Hollison]

If you watched the game last night, there was a subtle thing that happened after the final buzzer that spoke volumes. Someone actually captured this on YouTube (see below). Basically Bradley Beal came up to Kyrie, apparently still upset about that foul call on Kyrie's three attempt in OT (note: it was clearly a foul). Almost instantly the interaction de-escalates, and within moments they are smiling and giving eachother a hug. The whole thing starts around the 40 second mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yFKywo2-Yo

One of the things we heard about Kyrie after the trade was how popular he is with other players around the league. I'm beginning to understand why. I have no idea what he said to Beal on this particular occasion, but I see a player who's hyper-competitive, never shrinks from the moment, yet is good natured, real, and respectful with everyone.

This matters. Kyrie is one month shy of 26 and right now it looks like he'll be on this team for years to come (I think he's likely to re-up after next season). In many ways I think he's the perfect personality to have as a team's top player, in terms of attracting talent to the team. That could be huge as the Celtics try and compete over the next several years.

[A Future of Stevens]

They showed this on live TV, and I noticed it then too. Kyrie seems to have a very care free, relaxed, cerebral personality off the court. I feel that the NBA is full of "loud" talents, and his contrasting style is very magnetic to said players.

By cerebral, I don't mean book smart by any means, but more of an individual who chooses their words carefully. That type of personality is very cool to see for an assassin. Kobe Bryant had a similar type of air about him. It seems they don't have a care in the world, but the work ethic is visible.

I'm glad Kyrie is a Celtic.

[Androslav]

I agree with the premise.
I think that the shortest version of the story would be that every player in the league would like to be as skilled as Kyrie. To be able to dribble like him, nutmeg guys, shoot with crazy accuracy, throw floaters at the top of the board, left, right hand, it doesn't matter.
He is basically the "I wanna be like Mike" lite.

Guys don't want to be like Curry.
Guys can't be like LeBron.
They want to be Kyrie.

[Ed Hollison]

Guys don't want to be like Curry.
Guys can't be like LeBron.
They want to be Kyrie.

More than that, I think guys notice and respect Kyrie's humility. Contrast what we saw last night with this moment from last year (Steph Curry trash talking Jaylen Brown):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UOzhJhACOY

[Big333223]

They showed this on live TV, and I noticed it then too. Kyrie seems to have a very care free, relaxed, cerebral personality off the court. I feel that the NBA is full of "loud" talents, and his contrasting style is very magnetic to said players.

By cerebral, I don't mean book smart by any means, but more of an individual who chooses their words carefully. That type of personality is very cool to see for an assassin. Kobe Bryant had a similar type of air about him. It seems they don't have a care in the world, but the work ethic is visible.

I'm glad Kyrie is a Celtic.

I totally agree and I think it's a nice fit for this team.

Think about Al Horford's game winner last week. After he hit the shot, he didn't do the serious face mugging that almost every NBA player does in that situation. He had a big smile on his face and let people see that he was happy. It was refreshing to see an NBA player let themselves look happy instead of trying to look hard or whatever. Al is unique that way.

Now, that's not Kyrie. Kyrie will do the mean face after hitting a big shot. But his demeanor is just as unique as Horford's in his own way. I can see Jaylen Brown growing into his personality and he seems like he's got his own way of looking at things and doing things too. And, of course, there's no other coach in the NBA quite like Brad Stevens.

It's quite the collection. I've really liked this team quite a lot this year.

[tazzmaniac]

You make it sound like Beal was enraged and confronted Irving.  Beal actually shook 3 Celtics players hands first.  Then it was Irving that turned around and approached Beal.  Beal clearly wasn't too upset.  He was half smiling.  It was more of a "C'mon man.  You know I didn't foul you. Admit it." conversation.   

[chiken Green]

Yea his humility is pretty awesome... When he breaks Ankles there is never a celebration about it.. It's just the cost of doing business... 
when he gets into it with a young player he always responds in the interview after with - I like his fire.. and he is going to be a great player in this league...
 
He respects the legends and the history of the sport. A true ambassador.

And he shoots movies with NBA guys.. (Uncle Drew coming soon)

The dude is basically a walking legend..

[Tr1boy]

If you watched the game last night, there was a subtle thing that happened after the final buzzer that spoke volumes. Someone actually captured this on YouTube (see below). Basically Bradley Beal came up to Kyrie, apparently still upset about that foul call on Kyrie's three attempt in OT (note: it was clearly a foul). Almost instantly the interaction de-escalates, and within moments they are smiling and giving eachother a hug. The whole thing starts around the 40 second mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yFKywo2-Yo

One of the things we heard about Kyrie after the trade was how popular he is with other players around the league. I'm beginning to understand why. I have no idea what he said to Beal on this particular occasion, but I see a player who's hyper-competitive, never shrinks from the moment, yet is good natured, real, and respectful with everyone.

This matters. Kyrie is one month shy of 26 and right now it looks like he'll be on this team for years to come (I think he's likely to re-up after next season). In many ways I think he's the perfect personality to have as a team's top player, in terms of attracting talent to the team. That could be huge as the Celtics try and compete over the next several years.

what? How does Beal look upset

He is probably talking about his new car he bought or something

[Roy H.]

Other superstars always pay each other respect. After games, Lebron is embraced. Steph. Harden.

I don’t see Kyrie being more or less liked than others. Even IT - not part of the “clique” - was well-liked enough to recruit two stars here.

[The One]

I love Kyrie.  I wouldn't change a thing about him or the transaction that got him here.

I wouldn't mind seeing his snarl though, from time to time.   

[KGBirdBias]

Kyrie gained a lot of respect around the league because he's the first guy to tell Bron to "kick rocks", I'm outta here and I don't want to play with you another day.

Now he's in a better situation...that doesn't happen to often.  No one disses the king. LOL

[cltc5]

Other superstars always pay each other respect. After games, Lebron is embraced. Steph. Harden.

I don’t see Kyrie being more or less liked than others. Even IT - not part of the “clique” - was well-liked enough to recruit two stars here.

Lol let's be honest.  Al didn't want Atlanta after they chose Howard and heyward came here more for brad

[Roy H.]

Other superstars always pay each other respect. After games, Lebron is embraced. Steph. Harden.

I don’t see Kyrie being more or less liked than others. Even IT - not part of the “clique” - was well-liked enough to recruit two stars here.

Lol let's be honest.  Al didn't want Atlanta after they chose Howard and heyward came here more for brad

There’s always a mix of reasons. Both guys credited IT.  Did he may the difference in Horford signing here instead of DC? Maybe.

I just don’t see guys gravitating to Kyrie more or less than other superstars. Hopefully he can help us get some more stars here, but he hasn’t shown that skill yet.

[JBcat]

If you watched the game last night, there was a subtle thing that happened after the final buzzer that spoke volumes. Someone actually captured this on YouTube (see below). Basically Bradley Beal came up to Kyrie, apparently still upset about that foul call on Kyrie's three attempt in OT (note: it was clearly a foul). Almost instantly the interaction de-escalates, and within moments they are smiling and giving eachother a hug. The whole thing starts around the 40 second mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yFKywo2-Yo

One of the things we heard about Kyrie after the trade was how popular he is with other players around the league. I'm beginning to understand why. I have no idea what he said to Beal on this particular occasion, but I see a player who's hyper-competitive, never shrinks from the moment, yet is good natured, real, and respectful with everyone.

This matters. Kyrie is one month shy of 26 and right now it looks like he'll be on this team for years to come (I think he's likely to re-up after next season). In many ways I think he's the perfect personality to have as a team's top player, in terms of attracting talent to the team. That could be huge as the Celtics try and compete over the next several years.

I’m not sure how much it matters as for the foreseeable future we are over the cap and can only attract players via exceptions, and we already have a pretty deep team especially when you include Hayward.

[LilRip]

I think Kyrie ranks up there among who the players think is one of the elites. It’s Kyrie, Lebron, KD, Curry, Westbrook, Harden, and quickly rising, Giannis. As good as the other superstars are (like Kawhi, AD, etc.), I don’t think they get put up there.