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New Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is trying to bounce back in 2019-20 after a drama-filled campaign with the Boston Celtics ended with disappointment.
Irving's reputation as a leader took a hit during his stint with the Celtics, but now he'll be looking to lead the Nets as Kevin Durant rehabs from his torn Achilles. While there are certainly some doubts about Kyrie heading into the season, he's in a good position to erase them.
Here are predictions on what will happen during Kyrie Irving's first year in Brooklyn.
Irving will be a more vocal leader
Everyone knows that Kyrie's two seasons with the Boston Celtics were rocky. He missed the playoffs due to injury in Year 1 and then fell short of the Eastern Conference Finals despite high expectations in Year 2, with chemistry issues permeating throughout the locker room.
Former teammates have spoken up about his leadership style during his short stop in Beantown. Marcus Morris went as far to say that Irving's needs were prioritized over the team's as a whole.
This revelation is something that shouldn't sit well with the six-time All-Star. Irving now has a chance to reinvent himself as a leader for Brooklyn. The Nets are hungry to win games, and that's what Kyrie can provide while they are waiting for Durant's recovery. The team is made up of mostly young guys, so he has to carry the team in the locker room once again.
Irving should have learned from his failures in Boston, so fans should see him become a much-improved leader of the locker room this season.
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Irving will have season averages of 25-6-8
Irving finished last season with averages of 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists on a 48.7% shooting clip. While these are great numbers for any NBA player to have, he can be even better.
Once again, Irving will have to carry a young team to make a deep playoff run, and that's exactly what he'll try to provide. He'll want to prove to everyone he wasn't the problem in Boston, and putting up numbers that will remind fans of the 2016-17 Irving should more than do the trick for everyone.
Of course, the season won't be any easier as a number of teams have superb lineups. However, Kyrie is a bona fide NBA superstar. If he wants to put up those numbers, he can do it.
Irving will lead an inspired run to the ECF
Nothing can fix a basketball player's soiled reputation more than a terrific playoff run. He doesn't have to look far: LeBron James erased the bitter taste left by The Decision when he won an improbable NBA championship for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
Given the number of strong squads in the NBA, it's hard to imagine Kyrie taking the Nets to the NBA Finals without Durant. After all, relying on a single superstar these days is difficult.
However, Irving can definitely try to aim for an appearance at the Eastern Conference Finals. The East isn't as strong as the West, making the route to the ECF a tad easier.
Of course, he will have to take down giants like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid to get to where he wants, but Kyrie has always thrived on being an underdog. It worked during his time with the Cavs, and it will work this time with the Nets.
