1. Health
Kyrie Irving has had injury troubles since his college days.
Does anybody realize that Kyrie has played a full NBA season just ONCE in his nine-year career? That came in 2014-2015, and even then he only played 75 contests. On five separate occasions, the former No. 1 overall pick appeared in 60 games or fewer. That’s not great, and you have to think that it will only get worse as the 28-year-old continues to age.
A lingering shoulder injury limited Irving to just 20 games this year, and Nets fans had better cross their fingers that his surgery put the issue in the rearview. Even still, that doesn’t mean the former Rookie of the Year won’t suffer another injury.
We all know that the best ability is availability, and Irving has proved that he can’t be relied upon in that department. That’s why his health is the most glaring cause for concern moving forward. As great as Durant is, Brooklyn has no shot at competing for a championship if Kyrie isn’t sharing the floor with the 10-time All-Star.