Shaun Livingston, a former NBA champion and teammate of Kyrie Irving on the Cleveland Cavaliers, recently drew a comparison between Irving’s shot-making ability in the 2016 NBA Finals and that of the legendary Kobe Bryant. In a tweet shared on his official Twitter account, Livingston praised Irving’s performance, stating that his shots were reminiscent of Bryant’s iconic shots.
Legion Hoops’ tweet read:
“The shots he was hitting, them was Kobe-type shots.”
This statement reflects Livingston’s admiration for Irving’s ability to make difficult shots under pressure, reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s iconic performances1.
The 2016 NBA Finals: A Historic Comeback
The 2016 NBA Finals featured the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors, who had set a record with 73 regular-season wins, were heavily favored to win the championship. However, the Cavaliers, led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, made a historic comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to win the title.
Kyrie Irving’s Clutch Performances
Kyrie Irving’s performance in the final three games of the series was nothing short of spectacular. In Game 5, Irving scored 41 points, matching LeBron James’s output, to keep the Cavaliers’ hopes alive. His ability to create his own shots and score from difficult positions was crucial in turning the tide in favor of Cleveland.
Shaun Livingston’s Perspective
Shaun Livingston, who played for the Warriors during the 2016 Finals, witnessed Irving’s brilliance firsthand. On the Knuckleheads Podcast, Livingston reflected on Irving’s shot-making, stating that the shots he made were reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s style. “Kyrie was on a different level. The shots he was hitting, you know, them was Kobe-type shots, like, shot-making. I’m getting to my spot and then it don’t matter, I’m shooting the fade,” Livingston said
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