On the NBA stage, the discussion of "the hardest player to defend in the decisive moments of the playoffs" seems to be forever full of controversy. Former Warriors star Andre Iguodala admitted in a recent interview that if the game goes into a tense draw, it will be Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets who scares him the most.
Owen's ability is simply unmatched by others. Speaking of the player known as the "Finisher," Iguodala said that when the game came to the final moments, if anyone could end the fight with a lethal shot, it would be Kyrie Irving. The former NBA player explained that in his mind, Irving carries some kind of "fear factor" that can't be explained. Even at any moment, including that final whistle moment, he believed in Owen.
He doesn't think Stephen Curry is easy to play against, but at least past games have shown that Curry can be limited when it comes to packing. Forcibly taking the ball away from Curry through a team strategy seems to be an effective strategy. However, it was not so simple to fight Owen. His possession and individual attacking ability make it difficult for defenders to detect how to block him completely. When you're trying to defend Irving, his dancing flickering routines always find flaws to score.
Iguodala quoted Baskert legend Alan Iverson as saying that Iverson once described Irving as the best ball handler in NBA history. While this view may be somewhat controversial, it shows the weight of Irving in the eyes of many opponents.
Of course, Curry is a player who has changed the three-point shooting landscape across the league, and his threat on the court and his unmatched three-point range are also a huge headache for opponents. In a pinch, Curry's cold-blooded three-point shooting and rich experience handling the ball in key moments still make him an extremely feared opponent for other teams.
At the end of the day, whether it's Iguodala's choice or the basketball world as a whole, key moments in the playoffs will always breed such player matchups. Irving and Curry, two talented stars, undoubtedly added more suspense and excitement to the NBA. In a thrilling match, the duo's outstanding performances will continue to be the focus of heated discussions among fans and opponents alike.