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Kyrie Irving’s late-game heroics prove why Brooklyn will be unstoppable

ByJerry Trotta|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 30: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts toward John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Barclays Center on December 30, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 30: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts toward John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Barclays Center on December 30, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Kyrie Irving coming alive down the stretch vs Atlanta proved why the Nets will be so difficult to beat in 2020-21.

The Brooklyn Nets’ coaching staff spent the truncated offseason waxing poetic about how their emphasis this season will be on the defensive end of the floor. While those comments galvanized the fan base, nobody really thought this loaded roster would make scoring an afterthought in the name of limiting opponents to a lackluster field goal percentage.

Well, if last night’s barnburner against Atlanta was any indication, the Nets have a long way to go before we can even consider tabbing them an elite defensive side.

If there was another noteworthy takeaway to be had in the 145-141 (!) victory, however, it was how point guard Kyrie Irving put the team on his back in crunch time after struggling mightily to find his shot across the first three quarters.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1344475730948681729

We know Brooklyn is an incredibly talented team, but to think they were able to hold off Atlanta, who shot 47.5% from the floor including 39.1% on threes, with Irving being invisible until the fourth quarter proves why they will be so tough to beat this season.

The six-time All-Star started the game 1-for-10, but came through when it mattered most, pouring in 17 points on 64% shooting in the final frame. We’re not sure when it happened, but something clicked in Irving and he decided this was his game to win.

That’s the great thing about this Nets roster: if one of Kevin Durant or Irving is having an off shooting night, one of them plus the loaded bench are more than capable of keeping the team within striking distance before somebody presumably catches fire down the stretch.

https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1344477407391014912

We haven’t even touched on Durant yet and he finished with 33 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists on 11-for-22 shooting — not to mention that Joe Harris contributed 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including a remarkable 6-for-8 on threes.

On top of that, four bench players — Taurean Prince, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert and Landry Shamet — all reached double figures in scoring and had a combined +37 (!). Think about how much of a rarity that is in today’s game. They even combined to shoot a ridiculous 66.6% from the floor.

If we had one complaint from the game, it would’ve been nice to see Irving look to get Durant more involved in the fourth quarter, given how the two stars were having polar opposite shooting nights for the first 36 minutes. However, when Kyrie is that locked in, a player of KD’s caliber will be forced to take a backseat on some nights, and there’s nothing wrong with that.