Former NBA guard Jay Williams has high praises for Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving after his clutch heroics on Sunday against the Denver Nuggets.
Irving propelled the Mavs to the 107-105 victory in the game, sinking one of the wildest game-winners in NBA history as time expired. The performance was enough to convince Williams that there’s no one better than the veteran guard when it comes to skills.
Jay Williams’ High Praises for Dallas Mavericks Star Kyrie Irving
Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up, Williams shared his belief that Irving is the “most skilled player in the history of basketball.” Yes, not even the likes of Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Magic Johnson or any other NBA legend comes close to Kyrie, at least for the former Chicago Bulls guard-turned-TV personality.
“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,” Williams said of Irving.
“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.”
Williams made the claim after Irving scored the buzzer-beating game-winner on Sunday against the Nuggets. It’s undoubtedly one of the craziest game-deciding shots in the history of the league, which further highlights how skilled the Mavericks superstar is.
With 2.8 seconds left on the clock and the game tied at 105-105 , Irving took the inbounds pass from Maxi Kleber and quickly went to work. After pulling off a hesi move to create some separation from Nikola Jokic, he proceeded to deliver a one-handed hook shot from near the 3-point line to get the victory.
While some casuals would say that it’s a lucky shot, basketball diehards and players know very well the skill and work needed to pull off such shot.
Jay Williams Not the Only One Impressed by Kyrie Irving
For what it’s worth, it’s not only Jay Williams who had high praises for Kyrie Irving after he led the Dallas Mavericks to the much-needed win over the reigning NBA champions.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson was so hyped about it as well and even called Irving’s shot “the greatest, left-hand game-winning shot” he has ever seen.
“I jumped off my couch screaming after Kyrie’s game-winning shot from behind the free throw line for the Mavericks over the reigning champs Nuggets!! It’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest, left-hand game-winning shot I’ve ever seen,” Johnson wrote.
Sure enough, Irving deserves all the praises he’s getting.
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