Editor's note: This story was originally published on April 12.
KYRIE IRVING'S OPENING act in Brooklyn was marred only by slick footing. It was the final possession of his first regular-season game -- Oct. 23, 2019 -- against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With 50 points already in the bank and the crowd roaring in anticipation, Irving dribbled opposite Josh Okogie with the game hanging in the balance, before slipping and performing an aerial cartwheel, falling but maintaining his dribble. He immediately popped back up and nearly drained an off-balance winning fadeaway at the buzzer.