The Boston Celtics have burst right out of the gate to a 9-1 record this season, now boasting an NBA-best nine-game winning streak after losing the season opener to the Philadelphia 76ers. Part of their success has been the incorporation of Kemba Walker, who has transformed this team into a well-oiled machine — something former point guard Kyrie Irving failed to do in his two-year stint with the team.
Former NBA player Channing Frye offered his thoughts as to why Walker is a better fit than Irving for the Celtics, despite not being considered in the same realm of elite-caliber stars:
“I think it is (designed to excel without a superstar),” Frye said of Brad Stevens’ scheme in a recent interview with Tas Melas of NBA TV. “I think for them, less is more. They drafted really well, they made some good acquisitions when they had Al Horford and Gordon Hayward. Those guys fit into Brad Stevens’ system and they excel in that — but when you bring in a guy that’s just an absolute bucket-getter like Kyrie, it takes away from the overall offense.
“Kemba’s really good within that system because he’s going to screen, he’s going to move and he’s a little bit more of a point guard than Kyrie.”
.@channingfrye and @TasMelas discuss Boston’s red-hot start to the season and the success of Brad Stevens’ system on #Handles pic.twitter.com/78WiFvafXe
— Handles (@HandlesNBATV) November 14, 2019
Frye hits it on the nose here, as Stevens' system is predicated on ball movement and getting the best shot available in a share-the-wealth type of system, one that flourished during the 2018 playoffs. Once Irving returned from a season-ending injury, the mandate to base the offense around Irving took Stevens' scheme off balance, turning it into a more predictable offense that depended on his point guard's heroics more than the principles he had instilled.
Follow Us
Subscribe