Mr. Clutch: Irving’s Buzzer-Beaters Etched in History

Mention Kyrie Irving and fans first think of "that 2016 three." But open his career log and you find: clutch shots are almost instinct.

Beyond the 2016 Game 7 three, Irving hit multiple buzzer-beaters in regular season and playoffs. What makes his clutches memorable is the "degree of difficulty" — usually not open, but a pull-up, step-back or floater over a defender. The sliver of space his dribble creates is enough for him to rise.

In the 2014 All-Star Game he hit a buzzer-beater (under then-rules) to win All-Star MVP — his first world-stage show of "clutch." After that, in Cleveland he buried multiple game-winners, carrying tight games.

Irving’s clutch philosophy is simple: "trust the reps." He says when seconds remain and the body is tired, only muscle memory from a million reps holds. The 2016 three was that belief cashed — no hesitation, because he had taken that shot too many times.

On defense Irving is no elite perimeter wall, but his clutch steals and reads have saved games. Rarer is his mentality: the bigger the game, the calmer. That is the real "big heart" — not unafraid, but able to do the move right under pressure.

To opponents, the scariest Irving is the one still holding the ball when it is "win or go home." He may not be a regular-season MVP, but in clutch he is all-time.