Boston Celtics star point guard Kyrie Irving knows first-hand what it takes to beat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Back in 2016, Irving, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers became the first team in NBA history to erase a 3-1 series deficit in the Finals to win a championship. They did it against the Warriors, with Irving hitting one of the biggest shots in NBA history.

Irving made a step-back 3 over Stephen Curry from the right wing which proved to be the game-winner in Game 7. The Warriors and their players always speak glowingly of Irving because they know he is a cerebral talent, and have a lot of respect for him. Irving is aware Golden State is the team to beat this season, but the explosive scorer says the Warriors can be taken down by a special player, insinuating that he fits that bill.

“I can go get a bucket,” Irving said, via Andrew Sharp of Sports Illustrated. “And the Warriors know it too. Going against them for three-straight years, you develop that sort of competitive rivalry. But the respect is there. Obviously, they’ve been the victor two out of three times. You give respect where it’s due. They’re a special unit. But sometimes special units can be beat by special individuals.”

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At the point guard position, Irving is one of the most gifted scorers and ball-handlers the game has ever witnessed. His ability to finish in traffic is majestic to watch. The five-time All-Star is at full health and ready for the upcoming season. Irving underwent season-ending knee surgery in April and also had a second procedure to remove screws which were placed in his knee from the injury he suffered in the 2015 Finals.

Kyrie Irving averaged 24.4 points and 5.1 assists in 60 regular-season games with the Celtics last year while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from beyond the arc. He will make $20.1 million this season and can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019 if he declines his player option for the 2019-20 season.