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Kyrie Irving torched the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. The Boston Celtics star point guard put up 37 points on a ridiculously efficient 13-18 shooting, including 5-6 from downtown, keeping Boston in it until the end.
But if you think Irving was going to brag about his monstrous game, you’re wrong. In fact, it was just the opposite.
Despite putting on an offensive clinic, Irving was focused on how good the Warriors’ defense was. Specifically, how good Klay Thompson was on that end of the ball.
#Celtics guard Kyrie Irving can’t believe Klay Thompson hasn’t made an All-NBA Defensive Team. #Warriors pic.twitter.com/djzkX5YorM
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) January 28, 2018
Asked if Thompson’s defense is underrated, Irving responded by saying, “Underrated? Nah. I’d like to see him on a few more defensive teams.”
When informed that Thompson has yet to make an All-Defense team, Irving looked surprised, then exclaimed “That’s some bull***t”.
Well said, Kyrie. Well said.
While Irving certainly put up a number on the Warriors, it’s worth noting that both Thompson and Stephen Curry played strong defense. Irving simply had one of those nights where he was all-world, but I can’t remember a single shot of his that was easy.
The Warriors played Irving tough all night, and he respected that. And he torched them anyway, and they respected that.
As the saying goes, game recognize game.