Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard. Two of the most dominant offensive point guards the NBA has seen. Both play similarly with their sweet stroke from outside all the way to their aggressiveness as well as craftiness when going inside. Tonight, the two take center-court when the Portland Trailblazers make their lone visit to Quicken Loans Arena to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. In this segment, we’ll be looking at and comparing both Irving and Lillard’s Top 10 Career Plays. We start with number 10 on the next page:
Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
10. Lillard Slam vs. Irving’s Sweet Dish
Lillard goes full court for the dunk over a pair of Laker big men:
vs.
Kyrie Irving splits the New Orleans defenders and goes between the legs to a cutting Thompson for the finish:
Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
9. Irving and Lillard Put On a Show
With the Blazers down three in Oklahoma City with just 5.2 seconds remaining, Damian Lillard comes off the Aldridge screen to free Lillard for the game-tying three-pointer. You’ll see a very similar play later in the countdown.
vs.
Kyrie Irving was invited to his first ever Team USA Basketball camp in 2012. He practiced and scrimmaged with the team while dominating with his crazy handles and ankle breakers. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Irving not only made Team USA for the FIBA Tournament in the summer of 2014, but also won the Most Valuable Player award for the whole tournament.
Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
8. The Most Unexpected: Irving and Lillard
Damian Lillard drives by Washington’s John Wall and skies for the slam on the defending Nene.
vs.
Kyrie Irving likes to use his one-handed up-and-under move to fool defenders at the rim. Well, Irving also likes to do it at the end of quarters, as shown by this spectacular buzzer-beating shot.
Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
7. Aggressiveness vs. Craftiness
Damian Lillard drives and rises up for the slam over Tim Duncan:
vs.
Kyrie Irving splits the Brooklyn defense right down the middle and whips a beautiful no-look behind-the-back pass to a cutting Varejao for the finish:
Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
6. Irving and Lillard Lose Defenders
Damian Lillard gets the feed from a driving Batum and takes on the Denver frontcourt himself:
vs.
Kyrie Irving uses a series of moves to lose Knicks’ defender Prigioni and hits a three-pointer:
Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
5. Lillard and Irving Take a Trip to the Circus
Lillard hits an incredible circus shot while getting fouled:
vs.
Irving takes on the Bulls and finishes with a lefty circus shot:
Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
4. Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving Exchange Moves
Damian Lillard hits a game winning three-pointer in Cleveland
vs.
Kyrie Irving drives on Damian Lillard and loses him to score the easy basket after a series of pump fakes:
Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
3. Clutch City Part I
Damian Lillard with the game winner over the New Orleans Hornets:
vs.
In a lengthy double-overtime game against the Sixers, Irving sends the Cavaliers to a victory:
Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
2. Irving and Lillard Doing Detroit Dirty
Damian Lillard sends the Pistons fans home on a sad note:
vs.
Kyrie Irving shakes Brandon Knight twice at All-Star Weekend:
Adam Van Heyde | Cavs Nation
1. Clutch City Part II
Damian Lillard’s best shot of his career: a playoff series-winning three-pointer:
vs.
Kyrie Irving gives the Cavs a one-point road victory after hitting a 28-foot three-pointer in the defending Anderson’s face: