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Duke Basketball: Kyrie Irving’s style epitomizes former NBA Hall of Famer

By Travis Harmon-Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 12: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics drives around Markieff Morris #5 of the Washington Wizards in overtime of the Celtics win at Capital One Arena on December 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 12: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics drives around Markieff Morris #5 of the Washington Wizards in overtime of the Celtics win at Capital One Arena on December 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The style of play of current Boston Celtics and former Duke Basketball star Kyrie Irving has a similar feel to one of the all time NBA greats.

NBA legend and Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson epitomized the crossover.

That’s not a fictitious statement. It’s a reason why everyone classified him as “The Answer”.

Iverson’s pervasive nickname was known across the country; he even put Michael Jordan on a crossover portrait. A kodak moment everyone remembers.

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But Iverson wasn’t the only point guard, who had kodak moments of breaking ankles.

Truthfully, the crossover extends back much farther than Iverson. I’m speaking in reference to former NBA legend and point guard Tim Hardaway. Hardaway was a crossover “messiah”, during his career with Golden State, Miami, Dallas, Denver, and Indiana.

So, who’s next in that portrait?

It’s former Duke star and Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving. But it’s a different kodak moment. Irving virtually owns the move now, like he owns every defender who attempts to go for a steal.

But that’s another story. Here’s Kyrie’s story.

Irving’s competence as a point guard, signifies him as being one of the best point guards in the NBA, and, I’m sure there’s going to be exasperating comments coming soon after that statement.

However, Kyrie carries a perception for having incredible ball-handling skills; an innate trait that started initially at St. Patrick High School in New Jersey.

After his glory days in high school, Irving made the transition to Duke.

Then, he was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

NBA fans hadn’t seen a guard like Irving since Iverson.

Kyrie’s style of play is not only similar to Iverson’s, but Irving’s game has a little more flavor.

I’m being factual, not opinionated. There’s no need to iterate untruthful statements about a player; be serious, you watch basketball; I watch basketball. You’ve seen Irving’s moves to the rim.

The first step is tempestuous. Literally. There’s only two words to describe that, and it’s ‘pure talent’. His skills manifested into something special. A specialty he’s used to become one of the NBA’s premier guards.

Irving currently averages 22.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game with the Boston Celtics. Something even more astounding, is the fact that over the course of his career, he’s averaged 22 points per game between both franchises he’s been with.

Now, let’s converse about shooting percentages. Irving has shot a miraculous 46.3% from the field since he’s step foot in the league.

During his stint in Cleveland, Irving’s guard presence was vital in the 2016 NBA Finals, when the Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He was elated to receive his first ring as a youngster in the league.

So there’s a variety of reasons why Irving’s game epitomizes Allen Iverson.

Iverson’s legacy will never be forgotten. I’m pretty sure Kyrie himself understands that.

I remember watching “The Answer”, growing up as an adolescent. Iverson was prime time for sure. Despite how many ankles he broke, Iverson departed the league as one of the NBA’s greatest point guards of all-time.

Now, it’s Kyrie’s turn. Get your cameras ready, because Kyrie Irving is the NBA’s new kodak moment for point guards.

A point guard with a 22-point per game career average; pretty impressive. “The Answer” is in the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Could Irving be next?

He just might be.

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