When one sees Kyrie Irving play, it’s not your typical NBA point guard. That wasn’t more evident that on Sunday night when Kyrie Irving went Uncle Drew on everyone and treated the All-Star Game like his playground. When Kyrie took Dwight Howard out on his island, we all knew what was about to go down as we grabbed our popcorn and watched the show. Kyrie even showed Steph Curry that he isn’t on his level, just as Reggie Miller was trying to decipher who had the better handles between the two.
Are there any handles more lethal in the NBA than Uncle Drew? Nope. After this list, you won’t think so either.
[RELATED: Kyrie Irving Teaches How To Master His Patented Ball Spins]
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20. Pretty crossover and spin move by Irving
This is just pretty. Kyrie Irving goes right into the lane and spins to the bucket for an easy layup. I mean, just look at how easy he makes this look. Imagine actually trying do this on the playground. It wouldn’t look anywhere as good as Uncle Drew makes it look.
19. Kyrie Irving: one-man fast break
The NBA decided to pit MarShon Brooks against Kyrie Irving in this video, but the winner is obvious. Carlos Delfino has NO idea what to do when he sees Kyrie Irving in full acceleration running towards him. All Delfino can manage to do is put his arms out as Irving spins right off him and takes it to the rack for a tough finish. Kyrie Irving is literally the definition of a one-man fast break.
18. The “Servant” gets served
Irving didn’t complete the initial crossover with a bucket, but he was fouled in the process. Regardless, anytime you can say you crossed up one of the best players in the NBA–it’s worth discussing. Kevin Durant rarely looks confused on an NBA court, but he couldn’t contain Uncle Drew here. This whole video is pure Kyrie Irving, slicing up an opponent’s defense with his handles. Don’t you wish you could do something like this? I know I do.
17. Irving crosses Kobe, Harden, Durant and Westbrook
I’m sure that Kobe, Durant, Harden and Westbrook weren’t taking this Team USA practice as serious as a young gun like Irving trying to make the roster, but this is still a crazy video. Watching this video, it seems like Kyrie Irving is playing against a bunch of high school kids–not NBA All-Stars. Uncle Drew takes matters into his own hands, defeating the full-court press and finishing with a sweet turnaround jumper. It’s clear that Irving steps up to competition, not down.
16. Pablo Prigioni goes to school
I bet Pablo Prigioni never saw handles like Kyrie Irving’s when he was overseas. You can kind of sense that Irving was toying with Prigioni as he gave him a flurry of dribbles before disappearing in front of Prigioni’s eyes. Pablo Prigioni literally goes in a circle, looking for Irving–it’s hilarious to watch. Of course, a crossover is never complete unless the bucket is made, but Irving swishes the three here. This might have just been a foreshadowing of the future for New York.
15. Kyrie Irving leaves defender in high school
This is a throwback to Kyrie Irving’s days at St. Patrick’s in New Jersey. Irving just completely leaves his defender in the dust. Irving is already at the rack by the time the defender is trying to swipe for the ball. As Uncle Drew would say, “Don’t swipe young blood!”
14. Irving crosses up Michael Carter-Williams and Evan Turner
Kyrie Irving gives a double dose of crossovers to Michael Carter-Williams and Evan Turner–one right after the other. Everyone in a Sixers uniform was trying to grab at Irving but all were left with a hand full of air. Michael Carter-Williams has had a memorable rookie season and Evan Turner is having the best season of his career, however, both will try to remove these images from their memory.
13. Kyrie Irving puts Shumpert on all fours
Wait, are we sure that Iman Shumpert didn’t tear his ACL on this play? Shumpert is literally frozen by Irving’s icy crossover. Shumpert avoids the complete fall, but having someone put you on all fours on a basketball court isn’t much better.
12. Kyrie Irving lights up Jodie Meeks
Jodie Meeks never had a chance and Kyrie Irving knew it as he was bringing the ball up. Irving even turns his face to convince Meeks he is going right then goes left at the last second and all Meeks can do is watch.
11. Have a good retirement, Jason Kidd
Here’s the real reason Jason Kidd decided to go into coaching. Irving abuses Kidd all the way up the court and then gives him one final crossover before nailing a ridiculous three-pointer.
10. Shammgod crossover at Jamal Crawford Pro Am
What better way to honor someone who also has nasty handles in Jamal Crawford than with a sick Shammgod crossover at his Pro Am. I don’t have many words for this one, just click play.
9. Kyrie Irving destroys Brandon Bass
The things that Kyrie Irving does to Brandon Bass on this play are just wrong. Bass should never have to guard Irving and this video is the reason why. I’m not sure if Bass knew where he was after circling around so many times to try and find Irving.
8. Glen Rice Jr. meets Uncle Drew
Kyrie Irving took the time out of his game vs. the Wizards to properly introduce Glen Rice Jr. to the NBA with these sick crossovers. Rice Jr. really gets abused by Irving here–but at least we can enjoy it.
7. Kyrie Irving leaves Monta Ellis helpless
I don’t think anyone enjoys Milwaukee–Brandon Knight was shipped there after Kyrie Irving basically broke his ankles and Monta Ellis was another victim of Uncle Drew. Irving crosses Ellis so bad that Monta just stops playing defense and watches as Kyrie kicks a pass to Zeller for an easy finish.
6. Dwight Howard steps out to Kyrie‘s island
To be fair, Dwight Howard was placed on an island with no help from his teammates. When we saw Dwight vs. Kyrie at the top of the perimeter, we all knew SOMETHING was about to happen–but we weren’t sure what. Kyrie Irving finished with a beautiful finger roll that just made this play that much better.
5. Kyrie Irving taking a page from Allen Iverson
When I saw Kyrie Irving taking Steph Curry for a ride, I had no idea what he did–but it was beautiful. It seems as if Kyrie Irving has been taking notes on Allen Iverson, because this is exactly what A.I. did to Tyronn Lue during the 2001 NBA Finals. Kyrie Irving can only hope to become an elite scorer like Iverson was, but he definitely had an answer for Curry during the All-Star Game. Uncle Drew definitely gets style points for recreating a move from the great Allen Iverson.
4. Welcome to the NBA, Damian Lillard
Watching this video, I was waiting for something to happen. After the initial pump fake, I thought Irving was going to drill a sweet fadeaway jumper. Jokes on me for thinking Irving would make it that simple. Apparently, the joke was on Damian Lillard too as he took the bait on Irving’s pump fake. Irving let Damian Lillard know that the NBA isn’t anything like Weber State and the message was clear. Seeing these two former Rookie of the Year winners duel for years to come should be great basketball to watch.
3. Kyrie Irving shakes Steph Curry THREE times in one game
Steph Curry was Uncle Drew’s puppet all night, as he took him to Rucker Park three separate times during one game. My favorite is the second crossover–Curry anticipates the screen coming and over-hesitates completely and easily allows Irving to leave him in the dust as he drills a jumper. When someone like Irving is putting Curry on skates all night, you know his handles are serious. Steph Curry’s handles are nothing to slouch out, but Kyrie Irving has made it obvious that he’s at the precipice of the mountain.
2. Kyrie Irving leaving bodies on the floor
Kyrie Irving was leaving dudes on the floor in high school like it was nothing. This crossover is disgusting, but the best part is that the video slows it down so we can watch the defender slowly cripple to the ground.
1. Good Knight, Brandon
Is it a huge coincidence that Brandon Knight was shipped out of Detroit after the season when this ankle-breaker happened? We all know how this one goes. I still remember seeing this live on TV and screaming like I just won the lottery when it happened. It’s rare to see a player hit the deck like Knight did, but that’s what happens when Uncle Drew comes out of hiding. Poor Brandon Knight, his career has never been the same since this moment. This is the signature crossover of Kyrie Irving’s career.
Who has the best handle of all time?
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