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3. Kyrie Irving
The Brooklyn Nets’ newest star, Kyrie Irving, has hit the ground running, even if the Nets haven’t impressed too much yet. Irving has averaged 31.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, shooting 38-percent from three and 47-percent from the field.
While things didn’t quite pan of for Irving in Boston, he has the chance to prove why he’s one of the best point guards in the NBA starting a new chapter in Brooklyn. Irving has some of the best ball-handling skills in NBA history and can take on anyone off-the-dribble, regardless of whether it ends with him attacking the rim or hitting a jump shot from anywhere on the court.
It’s hard to fully quantify to just how good of an offensive player Irving is, but his opening day performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves was a timely reminder. Irving scored 50 points on 51-percent shooting from the field and 50-percent from three while adding eight rebounds, and seven assists. The Nets ended up losing, but Irving did all he could to pull the team over the finishing line.
Since then, the Nets have had Kyrie Irving do a lot of the heavy lifting, which is to be expected. Kevin Durant isn’t expected to play at all this season so for now, this is Kyrie Irving’s team. That’s not a bad thing at all.