Irving’s The NBA’s “Player Of The Month” For February In Our Books
February was one helluva month for Boston Celtics’ All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving.
Boston’s superstar guard has been tearing up the NBA ever since he and the Celtics returned from the All-Star break.
Irving started the month off on the bench, missing a pair of games while dealing with a quad issue. But that didn’t hold him back from returning to form after getting some much needed rest.
AUDIO: Zolak & Bertrand Talk Celtics With The Voice Of The Boston Celtics, Sean Grande
Over the course of the month, Irving exceeded most of, if not all of his career numbers, while the Celtics went 5-4 against some quality opponents with him in the game.
Sure LeBron James just won the NBA’s “Player Of The Month” award, while averaging a triple-double, but Irving could’ve definitely been consider for the monthly award.
Just alone in February, Irving averaged 25 points-per-game (+3), four rebounds (+1), and six assists (E). He shot a favorable 53 percent from the field (+7) and 43 percent from three (+4).
4th quarter Kyrie = ???? pic.twitter.com/nsxqZzgrLT
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 25, 2018
But what’s more impressive is Irving’s play over the Celtics’ current four-game winning streak. He’s certainly playing some of the best basketball that he’s played ever since arriving to Boston.
On Wednesday night against the Charlotte Hornets, Irving only played the first three quarters (24:35) and would go onto finish the game with 34 points, while shooting a mind-blowing 72 percent from the field and 67 percent from three.
RELATED: Irving Drops 34 In Celtics, 134-106, Blowout Win Over Hornets
KYRIE. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/8IpMwsL4Ls
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 1, 2018
Over the last four games, he’s averaging a whopping 27 points, six rebounds, and six assists-per-game.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
He’s shooting a remarkable 60 percent from the field, which is 13 percentage points better than his career average. And he’s knocking down 56 percent of his three-pointers, up 17 percent from his career average.
Last Four Games:
Vs. Detroit Pistons: 28:41 – 18 Points – 5 Rebounds – 6 Assists – 50% FG – 44% 3PT
Vs. New York Knicks: 34:51 – 31 Points – 9 Rebounds – 8 Assists – 50% FG – 50% 3PT
Vs. Memphis Grizzlies: 24:55 – 25 Points – 6 Rebounds – 5 Assists – 62% FG – 63% 3PT
Vs. Charlotte Hornets: 24:35 – 34 Points – 4 Rebounds – 5 Assists – 72% FG – 67% 3PT
It’ll be tough for Irving to keep up this kind of production moving forward, but this right here, is the player we were expecting upon his arrival here in Boston.
And can we agree that Irving handles the basketball and finishes near the rim better than anyone we’ve seen in recent years?
Not bad. Not bad at all. pic.twitter.com/IhYEjxPYQI
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 25, 2018
Since returning from the All-Star break, the Celtics have won four straight, while beating opponents by an average of 15 points. And for the month of February, the Celtics went 7-4 and have fallen into second place in the East, with the Toronto Raptors jumping them by a half a game.
UP NEXT: The Celtics (44-19) will kickoff a three-game road trip Saturday night in the Lone Star State against James Harden and the Houston Rockets (48-13), who are riding a 14 game winning streak and sit atop of the West. Catch the call of the game with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell live on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Pre-game coverage begins at 7:30 p.m., with tip-off set for 8:00 p.m.
— By John ‘The Dude’ Hardiman, 985TheSportsHub.com
