Kyrie Irving last night - 2nd career triple-double, MVP chants, silencing critics
Kyrie Irving had his second career triple-double (first as a Celtic) in Boston's victory over the Sacramento Kings last night, and without it, the Celtics may have dropped this one at home. He poured in a team-high 31 points, along with 10 rebounds and a team-high 12 assists - with only two turnovers. The crowd was into it with MVP chants.
Kyrie Irving is the first Celtics player to record 30+ points and a triple-double in the same game since Rajon Rondo did so on Feb. 12, 2012 vs. CHI
— Celtics Stats (@celtics_stats) March 15, 2019
Even Kyrie's harshest critics - those that utter nonsense about him only being a stat-hound, have to admit that he is becoming more and more a leader of this team in every sense. Granted, his production is vital to Boston's Title quest, but he is partially responsible for the team heeding Semi Ojeleye's plea to "Wake the fuck up!".
“Wake the fuck up!”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) March 4, 2019
My story on how Semi Ojeleye, seeing his team’s season “wasting away,” tried to light a fire under the struggling Celtics: https://t.co/wkVYOyXRBd
“Kyrie Irving is NOT good on the Celtics” pic.twitter.com/TRzDFxiMt3
— ALL-STAR Mickstape (@MickstapeShow) March 10, 2019
It is ironic that Irving and Rajon Rondo share that 30-point/triple-double honor. I have written before that Kyrie is Rondo with a shot. They are both ball-dominant point guards that rack up a lot of assists.
No, Kyrie won't be winning any MVP award this season. I doubt that was ever his main goal. That would probably be to become the leader of this Celtics team and take them deep into the post-season and hopefully come away with a Championship. Well, he has become the undisputed leader and this group is peaking at the right time. Kyrie needs some credit for that - even from his critics.
Follow Tom at @TomLaneHC, @CelticsSentinel and Facebook
Photo via Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
