If you were Kyrie Irving, how many times would you watch the replay of the shot that won the Cavs the NBA title in 2016? It’s fun to think about – I know that if I was Irving, I’d watch it like twice a day. As for the real Kyrie Irving, well, his approach is different.
Prior to the start of the 2017 NBA Playoffs, Irving sat down for an interview with Nice Kicks, where he was asked about the biggest shot of his life.
“Not often,” Irving said when asked about how frequently he watches the shot. “I watched it a lot after it happened, then I had to let it go. You have to let it go and move onto new accomplishments.”
The interview touched on a few other topics, including Irving’s slippery handles. There may not be anyone in the league who can dribble the rock better than Irving, and plenty of current and former NBA players agree.
Irving discussed some of the guys he watched when he was younger who taught him about the importance of good ball handling. In addition to some of the usual names like Allen Iverson and Jason Williams, Irving shouted out some less-common names like Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.
My Dad, my uncle Rod Strickland, and Allen Iverson of course. The funny thing about it is I watched White Chocolate, I watched Skip To My Lou, but literally I got my handle and understanding from those guys as well as Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett, because being able to handle the ball and having great footwork is so important.
What good are your handles if you don’t have great footwork to get to the basket or pull up for the shot and finish? I can do both.
In non-hoops news, Irving talked about his plan to get his degree in journalism and how he thinks people need to consistently have open minds. This led to him talking about the controversy he stirred up when he said he is a flat earth truther. As it turns out, Irving said this as a test for everyone else.
“When I said the ‘Earth is flat’ comment, it was a test to the media but also for people to realize like how can you condemn someone for thinking different from you,” Irving said. “Like are you serious?”
(Via Nice Kicks)
