Kyrie Irving vs Steph Curry the Rivalry the NBA Needs

Kyrie Irving vs Steph Curry is the most exciting individual rivalry in the NBA

The Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors gave the NBA a great game of the year candidate, and there were a lot of things going on. These are the top teams in their conferences, and they went back and forth all night, only being decided on the last plays of the game. It had great offense, phenomenal defense, and the point guard matchup that everyone wants to see in the NBA right now.

Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving went head to head in a way that only they can. Curry’s three point shooting prowess was on full display, and he once again showed everyone why he is the greatest three point shooter in the history of this game.

Irving responded by being almost flawless. He hit 37 points on just 18 shots, contributing in every way possible while making sure he did not hurt his team by limiting his teammates. The two of them put on a show that simply cannot be duplicated in the NBA, and this rivalry has all the narratives to go around it.

Irving may not have been the go to guy in their finals matchups, but he has the most iconic shot in any of those series, and they have each taken their turn being the best point guard in a championship winning series. And now that he is in Boston, he gets to be that guy that can be most responsible for taking down the unstoppable Warriors.

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The two of them have the history and you may not be able to find another point guard matchup in the history of the NBA with more offensive talent. There is no debate that Curry is the better three point shooter, and when he is on he is simply impossible to match.

Irving, on the other hand, is as effective from three as is humanly possible, without being Curry, and has the handles and ability to finish at the rim that is unparalleled in this league. Irving may not have any one thing that can match Curry’s three point shooting, but he has so many different ways he will attack to try and make up for it.

When these two are going head to head, there is nothing more exciting in this game. The way these two score the ball is as exciting as it can get. Curry shows off his release and stupid range on a regular basis, and people cannot get enough of him chucking up shots and hitting everything with ease.

Then you have Irving using his handle and his speed to maneuver around anyone that is in his way, finding any spot on the court where he can get comfortable. And, last night, he did not miss any time he got comfortable.

From three point range, nobody in the league makes and hits more difficult shots than Curry. In the mid range and at the rim, nobody makes and hit more difficult shots than Irving. When the two of them get going they put on the kind of spectacle that even better overall players cannot match.

This rivalry is also not about being the best player in the world, and that might be the most endearing part. You can look to LeBron James vs Kevin Durant as the best matchup and individual rivalry in the game, but the way they dominate is not as spectacular and sensationalized like it is with Curry and Irving.

Even their personalities are a great contrast. You have Curry, who always stays down to earth and has that reliability appeal, especially to young fans. Then you have the third eye, flat earth truthing Irving walking on clouds with his confetti shoes. On and off the court, these are two of the most interesting players in the league, and any time they do anything they get everyone’s attention.

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The two of them have the history to make sure there is bad blood, they are both on the teams that are expected to be Finals favorites for a generation, and they put on the greatest show the NBA has to offer. A lot of things are pointing to these two potentially going head to head in a lot more Finals, and you will not any real NBA fans who are opposed to seeing the two of them try to give their team that extra boost that captures a championship.

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