What makes certain people more legendary than others? Just one game, according to Kyrie Irving… as well as Game 7 of the NBA Finals, no less! According to his statement on NBA TV, “being at the pinnacle of basketball world right now” is truly unlike anything else.
Pressure is something that Irving, now the wise old man, is well-acquainted with.
He made a historic shot for the NBA in 2016. What comes next? He’s excitedly and reverently passing the torch. Wondering how?
As the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers lock horns for a winner-takes-all finale, Irving’s voice is the reminder we didn’t know we needed.
This is basketball’s purest high. “They’re part of history now,” he said of the players. “We haven’t had a Game 7 since 2016. That’s an incredible feat.” And just like that, this game isn’t just about two teams anymore, but about legacy.
For OKC, the journey has been nothing short of poetic. The youngest core in the playoffs, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, averaging 30.5 points and 4.5 rebounds, has grown up in real time.
From blitzing the West to surviving the former champs in a seven-game slugfest, OKC has played with joy, toughness, and conviction. Game 7 is their coronation shot. And for Shai? It’s a chance to go from All-NBA to all-time.
Indiana, on the other hand, has built a Cinderella narrative that’s now a win away from glory. Tyrese Haliburton has transformed into a franchise pillar with 14.8 points and 5.3 rebounds, and the team’s gritty, fast-paced style has stunned giants all postseason.
With veterans like Siakam stabilizing the moment and young guns like Nembhard stepping up, this is a team that refuses to blink. And Game 7 just might be their answer to every doubter.
Hunger has kept both teams going. That’s not enough for tonight, though. Irving said it this way: “You’re fighting your brothers.” You’re in a fight with your friends.
It seems like you’re looking for small flaws to exploit. But when Game 7 comes around? “That all kind of goes out the window…” It’s about who is fittest at the end. We don’t have time to make changes and there is no series lead to protect.
It takes 48 minutes to become immortal. And for managers like Mark Daigneault and Rick Carlisle, it’s a chance to either make history or change the course of their careers.
Tonight, every possession will be like a chess game, a test of nerves, or a turning point in people’s lives. Every miss will be louder and every make will be heavy.
No matter how well you play or how well you plan, feeling always wins in Game 7. He said, “Something you kind of dream of as a kid.” That’s what makes this unique. Stephen A. Smith told everyone right before the game why Kyrie’s words are more important than anything else right now.
“When people say bad things about Kyrie Irving, you have to remember that the brother is a champion.” And tonight, the word “champion” means something different. Because Kyrie doesn’t just guess when he talks about what it takes to win a Game 7. He’s been through it.
This is what Irving means when he says, “I’m ready to see this new blood get to it.” Yes, he did great things against Steph Curry. If you don’t remember, you’re about to be shocked!
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