The Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving may be a polarizing player off the court, but his talent on the court is undeniable. He's not an MVP-level candidate like his teammates Kevin Durant and James Harden. However, according to legendary point guard Isiah Thomas, Kyrie is incredibly important to their championship hopes.

Speaking with Etan Thomas of Basketball News, Isiah thinks that without Kyrie Irving, the Nets have no shot at winning the title. (via Basketball News)

“The LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavs that came back and beat the Golden State Warriors after they had a 73-9 season — and LeBron James was off the charts in every statistical category — but the Cleveland Cavs do not win the championship without Kyrie Irving on that team,” [Isiah] Thomas said. “Put me down on record. The Nets with the team constructed the way it currently is, cannot, and will not, win the championship if he is not there. Period.”

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The former Detroit Pistons PG does have a point: Kyrie Irving was crucial to that historic 3-1 comeback by Cleveland. He averaged 27.1 points in seven games to go along 3.9 assists and rebounds, helping steady the ship while LeBron was out. His iconic shot over Stephen Curry in the final moments of Game 7 sealed the win for the Cavs. That kind of production is what the Nets are hoping to get if Irving is healthy in the playoffs.

Greatness understands greatness. Thomas seeing that Irving is crucial to the Nets' winning chances must be great for their. Hopefully, Kyrie and co. aren't injured come playoff time.