This morning I did a quick online search for five characteristics every “Leader” should have.

There are a lot of resources providing thoughts on what leadership means and the qualities that should be attached to those who want to be considered a “Leader.”

Some of the suggested traits that jumped out to me were:

• Selflessness
• Loyalty
• Empowerment of others

Let us pause there for a moment and transition to a different topic.

In 2017, after reaching the NBA Finals for three consecutive years, Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Drafted with the 1st-overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Irving played three seasons in Cleveland before LeBron James arrived to give him a little support.

In all three seasons before LBJ appeared, the Cavaliers were awful.

After reaching the NBA Finals in three consecutive years but having to play from within the shadow of arguably the greatest player of all time, Kyrie had enough of Cleveland and asked to be traded.

This article is not me ripping Irving for his decision-making process and wanting to leave LeBron, so he could be “The Man,” as they say.

Kyrie has shown to be Kyrie with every organization he has played for.

However, this is me ripping on:

• Danny Ainge (Celtics GM)
• Sean Marks (Nets GM)
• and most recently, Nico Harrison (Mavericks GM)

All of whom have given up assets and/or a lot of money to have Irving play on their team.

After leaving Cleveland because LeBron was too good and not enough people were talking about him, Irving’s time with Boston did not end well.

After turning his back on Boston and joining forces with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn, Irving’s time with Brooklyn did not end well.

We are starting to see a pattern of behaviour, albeit from a player who is considered very good at dribbling the basketball.

Enter Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks.

In February of this year, after Kyrie requested a trade out of Brooklyn, the Mavericks decided that giving up quality assets in exchange for Irving was a good thing for their playoff push.

Harrison becomes the third NBA General Manager to get that wrong.

Since arriving in Dallas, the Mavericks have fallen outside the Western Conference’s playoff standings.

Rumors have started to spread that Dallas is considering sitting out both Irving and Luka Doncic in an effort to miss the playoffs.

If there is good news for Mavs fans, it is that Irving’s $136 million contract expires at the end of this year, and he will become a UFA. 

Building Bridges

When opportunity knocks, we need to answer the door.

When Brooklyn traded Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns, the Nets acquired Mikal Bridges from the Suns as part of the package coming back.

In 23 games with Brooklyn, Bridges is averaging 27.5 points per game.

In his first four seasons with Phoenix, the most points Bridges averaged in a season was 14.2.

This is a player who has answered the door when an opportunity came knocking.

Tonight, Bridges has a total points prop line set at +27.5 points.

Our graphic above tells us that in four of his last six games, Bridges has exceeded that total.

We also see that the data-based algorithm suggests Bridges will score just over 29 points tonight, giving a 66.67% Edge to the OVER.

Bridges has been even better at home, averaging almost 33 points per game.

Tonight, the Nets are hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are battling some injuries and expected to be without a few key players.

Maybe the above information on Bridges is pointing me towards his OVER tonight.

Or maybe I am dealing with a bias against Kyrie and have secretly become a huge Nets fan now that Irving has found another franchise to tear down.

Either way, I am all in for one unit on Mikal Bridges to go OVER his +27.5 point total tonight, and I might even pair that with a Brooklyn win on the moneyline.

Wishing you the best of luck with all your Anti-Kyrie picks and parlays this week.