Cavs: Kyrie Irving’s shot vs. Warriors is best one in NBA Finals history

Recently, ESPN asked a panel of experts about their opinions regarding the greatest shots in NBA Finals history, and to me, it’s clear that Kyrie Irving’s over the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of 2016 is at the top of the list.

With the NBA’s 2019-20 season on hiatus for the Cleveland Cavaliers and other teams until notice due to concerns involved with the novel coronavirus pandemic, it’s only natural for us NBA fans to look to the future and of course, have our own share of nostalgia.

This was no exception in relation to one of the major media outlets, in particular, lately.

ESPN recently asked a panel of experts about their opinions regarding the greatest shots in NBA Finals history, of which you can view here and send in your own vote as well via ESPN’s Instagram bio.

The gist of that eventually boiled down to the selection of the four best shots in NBA Finals history, and those are as follows.

Obviously, I’m biased, but given all that came with it, the best shot in NBA Finals history is Kyrie Irving‘s shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals over Stephen Curry, which essentially capped off a historic 3-1 series comeback over the Golden State Warriors.

As ESPN’s Dave McMenamin hit on, this shot by Irving, then just 24, was the bucket that put Cleveland ahead with 53 seconds left, and it was the go-ahead bucket, when discussing major professional sports, “to break a 52-year championship drought in Cleveland.”

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Granted, Michael Jordan‘s pull-up in the 1998 NBA Finals over the Utah Jazz’s Bryon Russell to secure the “Six for Six” in terms of championships for the Chicago Bulls is firmly in the conversation. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton believes it gets the nod for the best shot in NBA Finals history, too, and I give MJ credit for a key steal on the other end shortly before hitting that look.

Magic Johnson‘s sky-like hook in Game 4 of the 1987 Finals for the Los Angeles Lakers is also in the running, and it gave them a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Boston Celtics after a tremendous comeback, and then L.A. eventually closed it out. ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan puts Magic’s shot over all the others in NBA Finals history, along with that.

Ray Allen‘s Game 6 game-tying shot after a missed LeBron James three-point attempt and after a Chris Bosh offensive rebound then assist to Allen is right in that conversation, as was shown above per the expert panel, too. The Heat would eventually win that series in seven games, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes Allen’s shot is at the top of the NBA Finals list.

John Paxson‘s three-point shot in Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals to ultimately defeat the Phoenix Suns, and secure the Bulls’ third title, is seemingly in the running as well.

Additionally, Vinnie Johnson‘s to bring home the Detroit Pistons’ second straight ring in the 1990 NBA Finals, where he knocked down a big-time J to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in that Game 5, is arguably in that discussion.

Anyhow, while others could be in the conversation, I still believe Irving’s is the best shot in NBA Finals history, again factoring in the monstrous pressure the Cleveland Cavaliers, and LeBron James were under, and Irving hit the shot to take the lead in Game 7.

That was again to basically seal the Cavs bringing home Cleveland the city’s first major pro sports title in 52 years, and the Wine and Gold’s first championship in franchise history.

This shot, as the aforementioned McMenamin also highlighted, was on the road against the Warriors, who had then set the NBA regular season record for wins with 73, and it secured LeBron’s third ring, and realistically, the most impressive one. That involved him coming back (it was the second season of his return) and he led the Wine and Gold and brought Cleveland home a championship.

Again, though, even while LeBron rightfully took home the 2016 NBA Finals MVP, as he led both the Cavs and Warriors players in points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks per contest, according to Basketball Reference, Irving’s shot basically sealed the deal as Kevin Love got a switchout stop on Steph Curry, and then Cavs would go on to win 93-89.

It was unfortunate how Irving eventually requested a trade the following year before the 2017-18 season, and was later dealt to the Boston Celtics (and is now on the Brooklyn Nets), but Cavs fans everywhere will be forever grateful for Kyrie.

The dude is the most talented guard in team history, he lit it up with 27.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals per contest in the 2016 NBA Finals, and he again, hit the best shot in NBA Finals history. Thanks again, Uncle Drew.