5. Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics
Now serving as the alpha male in Boston, Irving will look to elevate his game to the next level under the guidance of Brad Stevens’ wizardry. It may take some time for this new-look Celtics squad to gel, but Irving has already made it known that he’s an absolute killer in isolation — whether it be pulling up from deep or breaking down defenders off the dribble.
Irving is a defensive liability, and that’s arguably the only thing holding him back from moving even higher on this list. His flashy ball skills and impressive combination of both volume and efficiency have always impressed as LeBron’s dance partner, but could take another step forward with the offense now centered around him.
This Thomas/Lillard/Irving group, in many ways, highlights the importance of defense. All three could find themselves ranking higher up if their defense wasn’t a constant concern. Irving especially, as he represents one of the most diversely talented scorers in this game