Kyrie Ivring's peak = prime Arenas?
You must only look at stats... Actually watch a Cavs game.... Kyrie makes GREAT passes often but MAN a lot of them have stone hands or don't finish well. Zeller and Thompson especially. They might get their own miss and stick it back but I'm telling you that Kyrie makes plays. I'd be surprised if CP3 could average 9ast on that Cavs team honestly. Just watch a few Cavs games.
Gilbert handles were solid, but not elite like CP3, Rondo, Rose, Nash, Kyrie and so on.
Gilbert Arenas had a physical advantage on the majority of the pg's being near 6'5 with a very long wingspan. He was also a pretty good athlete with quickness. The shooting ability he had was deadly. So defenders had to play extremely tight giving him the drive because he wasn't shy about taking a shot.
Kyrie shot seletion and passing skills are good. I just think his team really suks. So he has to take it upon himself to win because if he doesn't the Cavs are going to lose every single game.
Gilbert on the other hand had a great team around him, but only cared about himself and loved having shoot outs. He didn't like playing defense too. I remember Caron Butler/Daniels would guard the pg's a lot for Gilbert to roam around and save his energy for offense.
2005-06 Season Gilbert Arenas averaged 29.3 ppg, 6.1 apg, 3.5 rpg, 2 spg, and 3.71 turnovers per game
2012-13 season so far Kyrie Irving averaged 23.3 ppg, 5.6 apg, 3.6 rpg, 1.8 spg, and 3.7 turnovers per game
The point I was trying to make is at least statistically they aren't having very different years this season. Gilbert Arenas in my opinion could score on anyone because he had range from beyond the 3 point line. Having such range put defenders in a tough position, they could either defend the shot or the drive and Arenas exploited that splendidly. Also Arenas was on a much better team that year than Kyrie Irving has this year.
I don't really see the comparison.
On another note though, Kyrie Irving's fans always seem to get a little sensitive when people question his "pure" point guard label. I've noticed that he's not really a distributor. That's not to say he can't pass the ball. It's just that he's more closer to a Derrick Rose or Tony Parker mold than a Chris Paul or Rajon Rondo. Regardless, he's headed towards being a superstar.
Back to the topic... I don't see the comparison with Gilbert Arenas. Arenas was a big, strong and athletic combo guard. He didn't have great handles, but he had very good handles and a quick first step. People seem to forget that Arenas was getting to the free-throw line 8-10 times per game during his prime.
Arenas had more range as a shooter, but I'd give Irving the edge as an overall shooter. Not to mention, he has better shot selection and is a more efficient player.
Irving has better instincts playing point guard. I think Irving is more equipped to still be a top end player even if he suffered a knee injury, while Arenas' career went down the drain after his knee injury.
Overall, I don't think the two players even compare. Two different players. Irving obviously isn't better than a prime Arenas right now, but he will be very soon.
Does anyone else see Irving in the Gilbert Arenas mold? They are practically the same player. Quick, penetrating guards who can score in bunches and great in the clutch. Both are "point guards" who look to get theirs moreso than set up teammates. Not very good defensively.
The only difference is that Irving has higher bball IQ, better shot selection.
In '05-'06, Arenas put up 30-6-4 on 45%. That seems like it would be a peak season for Kyrie (on higher fg%), no?