Is Kyrie Irving an elite point guard?
by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports
A quick look at three top story lines for Monday’s eight-game NBA slate (all times p.m. Eastern):
Is Kyrie Irving an elite point guard?
Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30: Lost amid the fervor over Brandon Jennings’ game-winner was Irving’s performance against the Milwaukee Bucks. Irving scored the Cavaliers’ final 13 points to tie the game before Jennings came along to ice it. He went 5-for-8 with three free throws down the stretch against Jennings, single-handedly willing the Cavs on a 7-0 personal run with less than a minute and a half left. Irving has landed. The No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft was perhaps the best point guard at U.S. Olympic practices during the summer, and he gets a chance to prove his skill tonight against the NBA’s best at the position, Team USA starter Chris Paul. Paul has been dominant thus far, averaging 19.0 points and 12.3 assists a game. He’s the smartest star in the NBA. But Irving is coming on fast.
Does Brandon Roy have anything left?
Minnesota Timberwolves at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30, NBATV: Roy retired before last season because of bad knees, but like all NBA players, he came crawling back quickly when offered a contract. The T’wolves need him to play well with Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio out, but he has been nothing short of abysmal in the first two games, shooting 4-for-17 with six assists and six turnovers. The Nets provide an interesting test because Joe Johnson and MarShon Lynch are active, athletic shooting guards. Roy must keep up or Minnesota will be left behind.
Can the Philadelphia 76ers figure out how to score without Andrew Bynum?
New York Knicks at 76ers, 7: The Sixers were a great defensive team last season, but they struggled on offense. That’s been magnified through two games this year. They’re 29th, ahead of only the Sacramento Kings, in points per possession. Jrue Holiday has been aggressive, but the young point guard is best as a distributor. Thaddeus Young is the most natural option as a finisher with Bynum, their star center of the future, out. But the real problems … [For more on Tonight's NBA schedule: Is Kyrie Irving an elite point guard?, click here.]
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