Sometimes there just isn't anything a defender can do when Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving has the ball. Even if that defender is two-time All Defense guard Jrue Holiday.

In their match up against the New Orleans Pelicans, Irving drilled a mid-range jumper after hitting a stunning crossover on Holiday. The Pelicans' guard did his best to stay with Irving, but the shot dropped despite his efforts.

These two franchises were at opposite ends of star-player transactions this offseason. Irving joined Brooklyn's squad along with injured MVP Kevin Durant, while New Orleans traded Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package that included Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and multiple picks.

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There were rumors of Irving and Durant teaming up together all of last season, although most had them playing a borough over in Manhattan with the New York Knicks. Kyrie has repeatedly stated that their goal is to turn the Knickerbockers into New York's other team.

While the likelihood of that may depend on who's fans you're asking, it certainly won't happen unless the Nets' record improves. The Knicks sit at the bottom of the standings at 1-5, but Brooklyn isn't much higher at 2-4 heading to the showdown with the Pelicans.

Irving has done his part though, as he's second in the league in scoring with averages of 30.5 points and 7.5 assists per game. He started the new season out with a bang, dropping 50 in an overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and a 20-11-10 triple double in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.

A New Jersey native, Irving has said that playing in Brooklyn has been like coming home. In 2012, the Nets moved to Brooklyn after spending the previous 35 years in Jersey.