“Kyrie Irving could play as the Nets’ Sixth Man”: Kendrick Perkins explains why Kevin Durant and James Harden will be best served with Kyrie coming off the bench

Amulya Shekhar | 21/01/2021
"Kyrie Irving could play as the Nets' Sixth Man": Kendrick Perkins explains why Kevin Durant and James Harden will be best served with Kyrie coming off the bench

Ahead of Kyrie Irving staging his return with the Nets last night, Kendrick Perkins went on First Take and asked Steve Nash to use him as a 6th man.

The Nets lost their first game with the Big 3 taking the floor together today. The Cavs pushed them to the limit, both in regulation as well as in overtime. Collin Sexton eventually scored 20 straight points for Cleveland in the OT periods to put the game to bed.

It was another night of scintillating offense by the Nets accompanied by a porous defense. This game, more than any other, laid bare the glaring holes in their defense. 7 players from the Cavs scored in double digits, including Cedi Osman, who went off for 25, 7 and 7.

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Kendrick Perkins describes how Steve Nash should use Kyrie Irving

On his appearance on First Take last morning, Kendrick Perkins gave a suggestion that Steve Nash could probably use. He stated that Nash should consider staggering Kyrie’s minutes with KD and Harden, effectively using him as a sixth man:

“James Harden wanted to get traded to the Nets not just to make the Finals, but to win the championship. Guess what, they’re not doing that without Kyrie Irving. The guy’s averaging 27 points a game on 50% shooting by the way.”

“So when I look at Kyrie Irving and James Harden and Kevin Durant, this could be the most explosive offensive firepower that we’ve seen in league history. When you add Kyrie to what Harden and KD have shown in a small sample size, he’s gonna add to this.”

“If I’m the coach, I’m using Kyrie as a sixth man type. Not starting him off the bench, but staggering his minutes by bringing him off early in the first.”

Also Read: “Nets are better without Kyrie Irving”: NBA fans react to Collin Sexton beating Kevin Durant and co with 18 straight points for Cavs

Post Edited By: Amulya Shekhar
Kendrick Perkins kyrie irving

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Amulya Shekhar

Amulya Shekhar is a sports junkie who thrives on the thrills and frills of live sports action across basketball, football (the American variant works too), parkour, adventure sports. He believes sports connect us to our best selves, and he hopes to help people experience sports more holistically.

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