The NBA world saw Kyrie Irving reach the peak of his basketball prowess during the 2016 NBA Finals. His outstanding performance helped the Cavaliers snatch the championship from the Golden State Warriors. Eight years later, Shaun Livingston invoked Kobe Bryant’s legacy to highlight Irving’s talent.
To Knuckleheads Podcast, Shaun reflected on the former Cavs guard’s seemingly unstoppable performances during the last three Finals games. The 38-year-old pointed out that Irving’s tireless effort in making his shots reminded him of Bryant’s style of play.
“Kyrie was on a different level. The shots he was making were Kobe (Bryant) style shots, shots he was making. I go to my spot and then it doesn’t matter, I shoot the fade.”
Livingston’s praise was justified given Irving’s consistency despite adversity. For comparison, the Cavs went into Game 5 trailing 3-1. Many expected them to be finished. But “Uncle Drew” didn’t think so. He hit 17 of 24 field goals and scored 41 points in this road game. That performance led the visitors to a 112-97 victory and kept their hopes alive.
Game 6 in Cleveland was a rollercoaster ride. Irving’s 23 points that night gave the Cavs some much-needed confidence. The hosts eventually secured a hard-fought 115-101 victory, forcing a Game 7 in California.
This gave Irving a perfect opportunity to make his mark, and he took it with both hands. He mirrored the Black Mamba’s style of play, especially in the final minute of the game. The 8-time All-Star threw a sideways three-pointer over Stephen Curry to give his team a three-point lead. This game-winning shot secured the Cavs the championship title for the first time in their history.
This incident left Livingston with regret. The former Cavs player had predicted that Irving could make such a move in the crucial moments, but he realized it was too late.
“The cool thing is I played with Kyrie in Cleveland, so I’ve seen him do this before. I’ve seen him hit game-winning passes. The one-two from the right… So I know he’s got that in him. It’s that game-winning situation. He’s got it. He wants it. Not only will he make it, he’ll take it. So it was tough to watch.”
These dramatic aspects made this series truly iconic. It broke records and exceeded expectations before making the improbable a reality. This was largely due to Irving’s extraordinary performance, which secured him a place in NBA history.
