Kyrie Irving’s lack of free throws vs. Suns problematic

Kyrie Irving took a lot of the blame for what went wrong in the Brooklyn Nets loss to the Phoenix Suns.

One thing Kyrie Irving has done well with to start 2019-20 is getting to the free-throw line. He hasn’t always excelled at creating contact on shots or drives, but this is also a result of his ability to elude contact — something he usually does better than anyone.

Entering Sunday’s game, Irving was averaging 7.3 free throws per game. He’s never even averaged five attempts per game over the course of the season.

Then, against the Suns, Irving did not earn one trip to the line. It’s the first time he’s failed to do so with the Nets. Last year, as a member of the Boston Celtics, Irving didn’t take at least one free throw in a game 13 times.

And his lack of free throw attempts impacted the Nets beyond his point total. Irving explained to reporters in Phoenix:

I don’t think I shot one free throw tonight. That’s just a telltale sign of how aggressive I am not in the game. You know, getting downhill and really just setting a precedent of really slowing the game down and really getting it to my spots. So, a lot of the accountability falls on me.