Knicks’ Jason Smith Is So Confused By Kyrie Irving’s Wicked Sleight Of Hand That He Stops Playing Defense

This is not a double-dribble by Kyrie Irving. But who can really blame Jason Smith for being so convinced otherwise? We’d still advise playing defense as opposed to complaining to officials mid-play, though.

What Irving utilizes here is an increasingly common counter to the step-back jumper. After pulling back and bringing his right hand to the ball to seemingly pick up for a long two-pointer, he quickly crosses over before both hands touch to avoid a double-dribble. Distance between his right hand and the ball is barely perceptible on the broadcast, but you can bet it’s there – preternatually gifted handlers like Kyrie just make it hard to see.

This play actually serves as a nice encapsulation of Sunday’s matinee at Madison Square between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, too. Irving and company led by 19 points after the first quarter and are currently up 26 with eight minutes and change remaining.

[Vine via ShyneIV]

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