ESPN’s Jay Williams had some very high praise for Kyrie Irving on Monday’s “Get Up.”
Speaking on the mercurial Mavericks guard after his incredible last-second shot to beat the Nuggets, Williams gave the take that Kyrie is the “most skilled player” in the history of the game.
I’m always impressed by Kyrie. And by the way, the most skilled player in the history of basketball. Come at me, say whatever the hell you want. There is no player in the game of basketball as skilled. Most players cradle the ball — they bring it back to their right hand. He brings his right hand to the ball, touches it [and] keeps his left hand extended. I mean you haven’t seen players as guards make shots like that from outside the paint! It was almost a three-point shot with just the left hand.
.@RealJayWilliams says Kyrie Irving is “the most skilled player in the history of basketball.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/nMzv7OOTy7
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 18, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Irving dropped 24, nine and seven in 40 minutes of action as he fought through extenuating circumstances while observing Ramadan.
The circus shot from the elbow just adds another highlight to Kyrie’s extensive reel of crafty finishes in big spots. Few, if any, players have ever possessed Irving’s combination of ball-handling, finishing ability and shooting touch from all three levels; especially at 6-foot-2.
As Mavs center Daniel Gafford told reporters after the game: “He’s a magician.”