Network stars Kyrie Irving i James Harden he recently had a brief talk in practice to determine who would be the team’s guard.
“I feel like I’m doing a great job just managing the guard role,” Irving said after Brooklyn’s 134-117 victory Saturday night against the Warriors. “It simply came to our notice then. I just looked at him and said, “You’re the pointer, and I’ll make the guard shot.” It was that simple. He has been taking control of responsibilities and doing an amazing job. It just makes my job easier to go out and play free and just play. It is a luxury. I just want to keep it up. “
Harden, a two-time assist leader, is going to lead the league for the third time in this category, as he leads the league with 11.0 assists per game.
“It’s easy to play someone who is willing to complement your game and who is willing to sacrifice, and it’s easier to do it for me,” Irving said. “I think I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to show that I can play with other great players, not just with a game (for teams) in the United States or with the All-Star, but able to adapt to a high level group. not just with notes, just keep doing the little things and details to win. That’s all I’m focused on. “
This season, Irving has been a scorer as lethal as ever and has averaged career highs in field goal percentage (.522), free throw percentage (.950) and points per game (27.9).
Harden ranks ninth in all-time NBA usage percentage marker (30.58) Kevin Durant ranks 12th (30.16) and Irving ranks 16th (29.29). However, the three-time NBA leader knew his record would decline when he reached the Nets and be the lead game creator, as he noted in late January.
Harden echoed a similar sentiment after Brooklyn’s victory over Golden State.
“I came to this team knowing they had two special scorers on this team,” Harden said. “Obviously, I score when I need to, but as long as everyone is involved and Kyrie gets the shots he wants, KD gets the shots he wants, he’s pretty efficient. It seems to work well in this way.
For Irving, it’s not the first time he’s played ball and shared game tasks. He did it next door Lebron James during his stay with the Cavaliers. In Cleveland, Irving was able to win a championship alongside James, and believes he can win another as part of the talented Brooklyn trio.
“I think that just goes back to what I said over the last few weeks, it just doesn’t take a day for granted,” Irving said. “We don’t want to take for granted our greatness in terms of where it is now, and then we want to hold each other accountable for reaching another long-term level.”
Brooklyn is now the third seed in the East and ranks first with just 2.5 games.
“Just trying to build a camaraderie and have fun dominating,” Irving said after the Brooklyn trio played their sixth game together.
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Irving warned the rest of the league what would happen when the Nets turned the corner collectively.
“I tell you, the league will be alert when that happens,” Irving proclaimed.
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