Introduction

Irving is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and 2016 was a year of skill and brilliance for him. With his exceptional ball-handling, creative moves, and impeccable shots, he captured the hearts of many basketball fans around the world. In this article, we are going to take a short tribute to Irving's excellence by looking at the top 10 best goals he scored in 2016.

Number 10: The Reverse Layup

One of Irving's signature moves is the reverse layup, and he executed it to perfection in 2016. In a game against the Atlanta Hawks, Irving found himself under pressure from the defense. He spun around, faked the ball to the left, and scooped it up with his right hand for a reverse layup that left everyone in awe.

Number 9: The Step-Back Jumper

Irving is known for his exceptional footwork, and no move showcases that better than his step-back jumper. In a game against the Denver Nuggets, Irving dribbled the ball up the court, faked left, stepped back, and drilled a jumper from beyond the arc. The Nuggets' defense had no chance.

Number 8: The Crossover and Finish

Irving's crossover is one of the deadliest moves in basketball, and he used it to great effect in 2016. In a game against the New York Knicks, Irving dribbled up the court, set up his defender with a quick crossover, and exploded to the basket for a powerful finish with his left hand.

Number 7: The Fadeaway

The fadeaway is a move that requires great balance, control, and finesse, and Irving has all of those qualities in abundance. In a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Irving received a pass at the top of the key, jabstepped his defender, faded away to his right, and sank a jumper with ease.

Number 6: The Behind-the-Back Move

Irving is a master of the behind-the-back move, and he used it to great effect in 2016 to leave defenders in his wake. In a game against the Toronto Raptors, Irving faked his defender to the right, crossed over to the left, and finished with a behind-the-back layup that was pure poetry in motion.

Number 5: The Double Crossover

In a game against the San Antonio Spurs, Irving put on a double crossover move that left two defenders in his dust. He dribbled to his left, faked to his right, crossed over to his left again, and then crossed over to his right for a silky-smooth layup that had the crowd on its feet.

Number 4: The No-Look Pass

Irving is not only a great scorer but also a great playmaker, as his 2016 highlight reel shows. In a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Irving drove to the basket, drew the defense to him, and then dished a no-look pass to a teammate for an easy layup.

Number 3: The Game-Winning 3-Pointer

There are few things in basketball more thrilling than a game-winning shot, and Irving made one of the biggest in 2016. In Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, with the score tied and less than a minute left on the clock, Irving dribbled up the court, set up his defender with a quick crossover, stepped back, and drilled a 3-pointer that will go down in history as one of the greatest shots of all time.

Number 2: The Off-the-Backboard Finish

In a game against the Washington Wizards, Irving put on a show with an off-the-backboard finish that will make your jaw drop. He drove to the basket, leaped into the air, tossed the ball off the backboard, and then dunked it with thunderous authority.

Number 1: The One-on-One Showdown with Curry

When two of the greatest basketball players in the world go one-on-one, it's something special. In Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, Irving matched up against Stephen Curry, and the two engaged in a back-and-forth battle for the ages. Irving put on his best moves, including a crossover, a spin move, and a Euro-step, and finished with a layup that will go down in history as one of the greatest one-on-one showdowns of all time.

Conclusion

Irving's 2016 highlight reel is a testament to his skill, creativity, and brilliance as a basketball player. From his dazzling ball-handling to his impeccable shooting, Irving was a joy to watch in 2016, and his legacy in the game will endure for years to come.