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What does Kyrie Irving’s return mean for the Toronto Raptors?

By Thomas Valentine

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 18: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball during a pre-season game against the Toronto Raptors on October 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 18: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball during a pre-season game against the Toronto Raptors on October 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Kyle Lowry (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Should the Raptors be concerned?

As good as Kyrie Irving is, you have to question whether or not he can lead a team like the Nets, especially without Kevin Durant. The evidence supporting Irving’s ability to lead a winning team is checkered at best. His two seasons in Boston ended acrimoniously, with the Celtics making it to the Conference Finals in his first season with Irving sidelined.

Then, last season, the Bucks dumped the Celtics out of the playoffs in the second round with Irving averaging 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, shooting 35-percent from the field and 22-percent from three. As the numbers suggest, Irving struggled and never really got going before leaving to join the Nets in free agency.

If we’re being honest, on paper, the Nets are nowhere near as good as a team as the Celtics teams from the last two seasons. If the Raptors come up against Irving and the Nets, injuries forbid, they should make fairly light work of them.

So far this season, the Raptors are already 2-0 against the Nets this season — though Irving did not feature in either game.

As it stands, the Toronto Raptors are unlikely to even meet with the Brooklyn Nets in the playoffs. If the season ended today, they would take on the Sixers while the Nets would take on the Celtics, with Irving likely receiving a hostile reception in Boston.

If the Nets go on a run, they could likely shake up the seeding. The perception around the league is that any team that ends up in the second seed in the East is in for a treat. They wouldn’t have to deal with the Bucks until the Conference Finals and, should we follow the same trajectory, would have a fairly favourable matchup in the first round.

However, Irving has the talent to carry a team on his back but still needs to put all the pieces into place as a leader. From what we’ve seen in the past, that might be unlikely. That’s all a roundabout way of saying the Toronto Raptors shouldn’t be concerned by Irving’s return.

Next. Three players who could improve the Toronto Raptors rebounding. dark

The Eastern Conference is full of impressive teams, including the Toronto Raptors. From that it looks like, the Brooklyn Nets just aren’t one of those teams – with or without Irving.

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