Kyrie Irving is Scottie Pippen

Kyrie Irving got his wish to be freed from the shadow of LeBron James, and is now “the man” in Boston. He’s quickly finding out that life as a #1 comes with an entire new set of challenges than those of a #2. It’s still early in the year, but he’s struggling to adjust.

Without the defensive focus on James, Irving has started the season by shooting just 37%. Sure, Gordon Hayward going down for the year is a tough blow, but #1’s have the responsibility to keep the train rolling, even if their supporting cast misses games. James has done it throughout his career, including when Irving missed extended periods of time.

Irving also has to deal with the pressure of dealing with the media as the first interview after the game, and other responsibilities that are only shouldered by the face of the franchise. MJ and LeBron are hardwired to do it. Some aren’t.

Scottie Pippen was one of the all-time best #2’s in NBA, but when MJ retired he wasn’t a great #1. So far, like Pippen, Irving is struggling to assume the role on and off the court.  He couldn’t wait to leave James, but he’ll never have it that good again.

Top coaches should be lining up for the Colts’ job  

The Colts are awful, and Chuck Pagano might not make it to the end of the season. Even though Indy is terrible this year, Colin thinks it will be an incredibly attractive job once the offseason rolls around..

He believes the Colts job is an extremely attractive destination because new GM Chris Ballard gets it, and is slowly untangling the disaster that Ryan Grigson created. Whoever gets the job will inherit a franchise quarterback in Andrew Luck, who should be fully healthy for the first time in several years; a top pick to trade for more picks to build their team; and the lowest possible entry point in terms of expectations.

Indy has a lot to sell, even to the biggest of the big name coaching candidates. They should go hard after a big name, including Jim Harbaugh.

Guests:

Doug Gottlieb – FS1 Analyst and host of The Doug Gottlieb Show is in-studio to talk World Series Game 1; why Dodgers Stadium is such a great ball park; and if LaVar Ball making Lonzo a target is bad for his career.

Joel Klatt – FS1 College Football Analyst is in-studio to explain why people comparing Jim Harbaugh to Brady Hoke is ridiculous; why he thinks Colin is selling Notre Dame short; and what to expect in this week’s Penn State/Ohio State clash.

Eric Mangini – Former Jets and Browns head coach is in-studio discussing the NFL Draft player evaluation process; and if Chicago has the ingredients to be a good team in the future.

Nick Swisher – Fox Sports MLB Analyst is in-studio talking World Series Game 1, and what he saw when he faced a young Justin Verlander.