The basketball world was left stunned on Sunday night after Kyrie Irving hit an incredible game-winning hook shot against the Denver Nuggets. Damian Lillard reacted to it by calling Irving the most skilled player ever, but NBA analyst Chris Broussard disagrees with him. Broussard thinks Stephen Curry and Isiah Thomas are ahead of Kyrie.
“As far as skills, I would put Steph ahead of him,” Broussard said on First Things First. “He is a better ball handler than Steph… Steph is obviously a better shooter, I think Steph’s a better passer. Kyrie’s never averaged even seven assists a game. Steph’s averaged eight and a half assists and seven assists some years. I would put Isiah Thomas, the legend, ahead of him.”
Broussard then added that he believes Steve Nash and Chris Paul are in the same group as Irving.
“And then I think and these guys are all with Kyrie in the same class. I gotta throw Steve Nash and Chris Paul in there too,” Broussard continued. “Just skill. I think Kyrie is in that group but I would probably put Steph and Isiah ahead of him.”
(starts at 1:25 mark):
"Kyrie is in the discussion for most skilled player ever. He's an icon. He's going to be a legend. And I think he's a first ballot HOF'er. … But I'd put Steph, Isiah Thomas ahead of him, and Nash & CP3 are in the same class."
— @Chris_Broussard on Kyrie: pic.twitter.com/nHg3VnC8DE
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) March 18, 2024
That’s an interesting take from Broussard. I think Irving is the greatest ball-handler in NBA history and is an incredible finisher at the rim as well. He is not an amazing playmaker, though, with Thomas, Nash, and Paul being far more skilled than him in that regard. As Broussard says, Curry is a better playmaker than Kyrie, too.
Steph is obviously a far greater shooter as well, so you can certainly make a strong case for him to be ahead of Irving. I am not sure if Thomas was more skilled, though. The Detroit Pistons icon is the greater player, but if we are only talking about skill, I would give the Dallas Mavericks star the edge over him.
I would also have Irving ahead of Nash and Paul, but you could make an argument I suppose for them to be in the same group. To go with being better playmakers, Nash was a better shooter than Kyrie, while Paul was a better defender.
Kevin Durant Thinks Kyrie Irving Is The Most Skilled Player Ever
While Broussard doesn’t believe Irving is the most skilled ever, a former teammate of his does. Earlier this year, Kevin Durant said Kyrie is the most skilled player in NBA history.
“I think he’s the most skilled ever to play the game. I think that there’s nothing he can’t do with a basketball,” said Durant to Dallas Basketball. “So, it doesn’t matter what setting it is. He could do the same thing regardless if he’s playing Team USA, NBA, NBA Finals, Playoffs, Streetball, or Rec Ball. He can do it. He can play his game anywhere. That’s just a testament to how great he is and how hard he works.”
It isn’t just current players who think Kyrie is at the top. Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy also said Irving is the most skilled player to ever put on basketball shoes. It is a sentiment that is growing seemingly with each passing day at this point.
As for Irving’s play on the court this season, the 31-year-old is averaging 25.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. The Mavericks would be hoping he can stay healthy the rest of the way as they won’t be making any noise in the playoffs without him.
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