Kyrie Irving learning from Marcus Smart how to take charge(s)
Kyrie Irving is joining teammates Marcus Smart and Aron Baynes in the high rankings for the Hustle stat, Charges Taken. This not something for which Kyrie has gained a reputation. He only took six charges last season as a Celtic and three for the 2016-17 season as a member of the Cavaliers.
Smart is tied with Irving with nine charges taken thus far this season. Aron Baynes, out with a hand injury, has taken a total of seven so far.
Taking charge — in both senses of the phrase https://t.co/eualN9xPzw
— chicinthegeɘk🏀 (@chicinthegeek) January 9, 2019
New: “You see Smart do it, you see Baynes do it. It’s almost like he’s made it some kind of race to see who can get the most.” Kyrie Irving is 10th in the NBA in charges taken, and he’s already matched his total from the last 2 years combined. https://t.co/jNI7segGFQ
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) January 8, 2019
So Kyrie has already surpassed the Charges-Taken stat over the past two seasons and is destined to do the same with another Hustle Statistic, Loose Balls Recovered. He has 70 of those so far this season and recorded 76 all of last season.
Add these Hustle stats to Irving's offensive numbers, and it is apparent that he is having one hell of a season. He followed Smart's lead on taking charge vocally to push teammates to a higher level of play, and now he is taking charges on the court, much like Marcus and Aron. Remaining still while a large athlete is barreling in your direction takes grit and will power. It is also the dirty work few players wish to do. Looks like Kyrie has donned his work boots and gloves and gone into the pit with his guys. Great thing to witness.
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Photo via Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
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