Is Kyrie Irving a Hall of Famer? Well, this is a matter of debate. Kyrie Irving with a rollercoaster NBA career has lured many NBA fan’s hearts. His performances, skills, and achievements raise questions in people’s minds about whether will be in the Hall of Fame or not.
And to answer this question I’m writing this article where you can learn about “Is Kyrie Irving a Hall of Famer?’’ and if he still isn’t then how can we assume that he is going to be?
So, let’s find out if Kyrie Irving is destined for the house of Basketball Legends or if he is just another start who will turn into a comet.
Is Kyrie Irving a Hall of Famer?
The answer is no. He is not a Hall of Famer right now. But the way he is playing, it’s not too late to become a Hall of Famer.
NBA fans debate about his being a Hall of Famer. Some consider that he is going to be a Hall of Famer. Because he’s been an All-Star 8 times, as most of the previous Hall of Famers have been an All-Star at least for 4 times.
In terms of winnings, one of his biggest achievements is he won the 2016 championship, where he scored 26 points.
On the contrary, critics think he is just like Allen Iverson, gaining his own success but failing to lead his team to do good as well. But the thing is, he has time to prove himself more.
So, whether he is going to be a Hall of Famer depends on how he plays in the future. If he can get another championship, win more awards, and contribute to his team’s success, there is a big chance that one day we will see Kyrie Irving as a Hall of Famer.
What Makes an NBA Player a Hall of Famer?
As we already know, Kyrie Irving is currently not a Hall of Famer. But if we learn about what factors make a player a Hall of Famer. Then, it will help us to know whether he is going to be one or not.
So, being a Hall of Famer falls under some specific conditions, like:
1. Basic Criteria:
- To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, a player must be completely retired for at least five years from the NBA.
- A player who didn’t play for five Seasons in the NBA can’t be in the Hall of Fame.
2. Dominant Performance and Skill:
- Scoring impressive points wouldn’t be enough. A player has to be all square, such as being good at grabbing rebounds, making consistent assists, and even stealing the ball and blocking shots, which also count to be a Hall of Famer.
- With 20,000 points and 7,500 assists, conversely, 2,000 steals or 2,250 blocks might make a player Hall of Famer.
- MVP awards, All-NBA team selection, and Defensive Player of the Year Awards getting all of these are important.
- If a player can maintain his duchess throughout the whole career, then the chances of being a Hall of Famer increase by a good number.
3. Win Championships and Leaving Mark for the Next-Gen:
- To be a Hall of Famer, a player’s winning NBA titles as a key contributor is a significant factor.
- Players who show their own new signature style of playing that leaves a mark and influences the next generation also can make it into the house of Hall of Fame.
4. Sportsmanship and Global Influence:
- Without good characteristics and manners on and off the court, a player can’t be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Because this honor is not only for the one who plays well but for the person with a good soul.
- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame searches for a player who goes beyond just playing. A player who inspires generations worldwide through his sportsmanship and takes the basketball ball game beyond the border of any culture.
5. International Success:
- Competing and dominating in the Olympics or FIBA World Championship can strengthen a player’s chances.
Can Kyrie Irving be a Hall of Famer?
We can’t just easily say that Kyrie Irving is surely going to be a Hall of Famer. But we can study his early career and NBA career achievements. We can look upon his contribution to his individual and to the team’s accomplishments.
In the previous discussion, we learned about the Hall of Farmer eligibility, so now let’s see how much Kyrie Irving satisfies those criteria. And then we may predict at some point whether he is going to be a Hall of Famer or not.
1. Kyrie Irving’s Achievements
Kyrie Irving has some excellent early career achievements. He was the top pick in the 2011 NBA draft for the Cleveland Cavaliers, which gave him a good start.
The next year, in 2012, he won the Rookie of the Year award and secured his spot on the All-Rookie First Team. His average score in the first season was 18.5 points, assisted approximately 5.4, and rebounded 3.7 per game.
He got a call from Team Chuck after scoring 8 out of 12 three-point shots in the 2012 Rising Star challenge. He didn’t stop there. He also won the NBA Three-Point Contest in 2013,
In 2014, he made it to the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year, and in the same year, he was selected as the FIBA World Cup MVP.
2016 was his best year so far. He brought his team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, to the championship against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Moreover, he has been an 8-time NBA All-Star till now. He was picked for the All-NBA Second in 2019 and the All-NBA Third team in 2015 and 2021.
Now, let’s take a look at the bellow table to see all of his success at once:
| Achievement | Year |
| NBA champion | 2016 |
| 8× NBA All-Star | 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021, 2023 |
| NBA All-Star Game MVP | 2014 |
| All-NBA Second Team | 2019 |
| 2× All-NBA Third Team | 2015, 2021 |
| 50–40–90 club | 2021 |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | 2012 |
| NBA All-Rookie First Team | 2012 |
| NBA Three-Point Contest champion | 2013 |
| USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year | 2014 |
| FIBA World Cup MVP | 2014 |
| McDonald’s All-American | 2010 |
| First-team Parade All-American | 2010 |
So, it’s crystal clear that his early career and NBA career achievements are just mesmerizing. And guess what?
These all are going to play a significant role in his candidacy for the NBA Hall of Fame. All he needs to do is just maintain this continuity.
2. Kyrie Irving’s Impact on his Teams
Kyrie Irving’s exceptional ball handling, scoring ability, and overall performances brought every team he played for to a good position.
He is a good listener, as his coaches claim that he does things according to the coach’s commands. His team members also love him because of his humble leadership nature.
But he has a history of injuries. That made him sit outside of the court for significant times throughout his career. This is where we can question about his durability and continuity.
In the end, he did win the championship for his team in 2016, and if he continues his journey like that, then anything can happen in the future.
3. Criticisms and Controversies Surrounding Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving has some serious controversies. And he has faced criticism for numerous times. So, let’s check out some of the main issues that people talk about the most.
- Antisemitic Controversy:
In Oct 2022, out of nowhere, Irving shared an antisemitic conspiracy theory on social media through a documentary link. A lot of fans, players, and critics got mad at him. Even the NBA also took it seriously.
But he immediately defended his decision, apologized, and met with the Jewish leaders. He explained why he did that. And also assured them that he post it for not spreading any hatred but wanted to start a conversation.
- COVID-19 Vaccination Issue:
I don’t know why on earth Irving refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This caused him not to play with the Brooklyn Nets. Fans found this not cool and questioned his responsibilities for the team’s success.
- Media Relations:
Some critics think that Irving is not the guy who is going to please the media, as he often clashes with them. The media accused him of being arrogant and not openly talking with them.
We can see that Kyries Irving is known for two reasons. One for his good playing. And for his controversies. As controversies are directly connected with a player’s image, they can create an impact on his Hall of Fame eligibility.
4. Kyrie Irving vs. Hall-of-Famers
When we talk about Kyrie Irving, the two legendary players’ names that come to mind are Allen Iverson and Gary Payton. Why? Because these two Hall of Famers had some kind of similarities in terms of offensive skillsets and championship accolades.
Therefore, let’s see a quick comparison between Kyrie Irving and the other two Hall of Famers:
| Feature | Kyrie Irving | Allen Iverson | Gary Payton |
| Scoring Average | 26.2 ppg | 26.7 ppg | 22.2 ppg |
| Assist Average | 5.7 apg | 6.2 apg | 8.9 apg |
| Championships | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Memorable Moments | Championship-winning shot, All-Star dunks | Crossover on Michael Jordan, “The Answer” nickname | Glove on Reggie Miller’s shot, Seattle Supersonics championship |
| Defense | Improved, not elite | Renowned lockdown defender | All-Defensive team selections |
| Durability | Injury concerns | Higher level of consistency | More durable throughout career |
| Leadership Style | Questioned, less traditional | Fiery, inspirational | Vocal, leads by example |
| Team Success | Inconsistent beyond Cleveland championships | Deep playoff runs with multiple teams | Elevated various franchises |
Now tell me what do you think after seeing this table? Yes! There is a maximum chance that he will make it to the Hall of Fame.
5. Current Performance and Future Outlook
Kyrie Irving is just dominating in his 13th NBA season. Now he is playing for the Brooklyn Nets and had to sit out the first half of the season due to a vaccine issue. But his current comeback in January is giving his team high-five moments.
He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024, and it looks like the Nets gonna resign him. So, again, I’m saying that if he can maintain his current performance, he will be undoubtedly a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
So now you probably have a fruitful insight into the question, “Is Kyrie Irving a Hall of Famer?” Yes! He isn’t a Hall of Famer right now. But his early career and NBA career accomplishments suggest that he has a chance in the future.
Winning the NBA Finals championship in 2016 and being selected in All-Star multiple times he is a suitable candidate for the Hall of Fame.
Though, his controversies and inconsistency due to injuries can be an obstacle and if we look at his offensive skills and impact on the team’s success is giving a competition to the previous Hall of Famers.
In conclusion, Kyrie Irving is not a Hall of Famer right now. Ultimately, his future actions will determine whether he is gonna make it to the Hall of Fame or not.