Former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins says Boston Celtics star point guard Kyrie Irving is no doubt a great player, but he doesn't think Irving is a Batman type of guy or someone who can be the best player on a championship team.
Perkins, who was part of the 2008 Celtics team which defeated Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, says Irving is more of a second option type of guy, the role he played on the Cleveland Cavaliers behind LeBron James.
“I think Kyrie is a great player, don’t get me wrong,” Perkins told Jay King of The Athletic. “He’s a great player, he’s a proven player, he’s a champion. But is he a go-to guy? Is he a – should I say – LeBron James, Kevin Durant? Nah, he’s not that. But he’s still an elite player.
“To me he’s a second option type guy. He needs to be the second best on the team and be able to handle the pressure because I don’t think he’s able to handle the pressure that superstars are able to handle. Giannis is a superstar. He’s actually carrying Milwaukee. I think Kyrie is a great addition for Boston, but I don’t think he’s a Batman type of guy.”
Irving has struggled with being the leader of the Celtics this season, so much so that he called James earlier in the season to apologize for how he acted during their time together with the Cavs.
The Celtics' season could end on Wednesday. They are down 1-3 to the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the playoffs.
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