Kyrie Irving has played alongside some of the most talented players in NBA history, yet when asked to name the best teammate he has ever had, his answer was swift and emphatic: Kevin Durant. Speaking on his stream, Irving delivered high praise for the Houston Rockets star, saying:
“I will say this the 7-eleven duo of me and KD will never be topped in terms of just being on a court with somebody that special, right? So let me get that disclaimer out. All right, let me get that disclaimer.”
“I’ve played with a lot of great players, but playing with KD, it was OD. All right, he’s one of the best of all time. Obviously, we all have our strengths and weaknesses.”
The comment is striking not only for the level of reverence Irving shows for Durant but also for the notable names it leaves out. Irving spent three memorable seasons with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers, a partnership that produced the 2016 NBA championship and one of the greatest comebacks in Finals history.
LeBron and Kyrie’s time together was defined by high drama and high stakes, culminating in the now-iconic Game 7 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Their chemistry, particularly in clutch moments, became a defining image of that championship run.
Irving also shared the court with Luka Doncic in Dallas, where the duo reached the NBA Finals in 2024. While their partnership was relatively short-lived, it brought a blend of offensive creativity and big-game moments that energized Mavericks fans.
Luka’s ball dominance and Kyrie’s off-ball scoring ability complemented each other well, though the pairing ultimately fell short of delivering a championship. Injuries, inconsistent supporting casts, and stiff competition stood in their way.
By contrast, Irving’s time with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn was a rollercoaster of expectations, adversity, and ultimately underachievement. The two were meant to headline one of the most dangerous scoring tandems in league history, but off-court controversies, health issues, and roster instability prevented them from advancing past the second round of the playoffs.
Still, Irving’s comments suggest that the on-court magic they shared left a lasting impression that even championship runs with LeBron or a Finals berth with Luka couldn’t surpass.
From a pure basketball perspective, Irving’s praise makes sense. Durant’s combination of size, shooting touch, and scoring versatility is virtually unmatched in NBA history. Playing alongside a player who can score from anywhere, against any defender, while drawing constant double teams, likely gave Irving a level of freedom and efficiency he didn’t experience to the same extent with other stars.
Even if their time together failed to produce postseason glory, the artistry and ease of their on-court synergy clearly resonated with him.
For fans, the remark will inevitably stir debates about what defines a “best teammate”, is it winning titles, personal chemistry, or pure talent? For Kyrie Irving, the answer appears to be the latter.
While LeBron and Luka helped him achieve more team success, it was Durant’s unique blend of skill and presence that earned the top spot in his mind. And in typical Kyrie fashion, the choice will likely keep NBA circles buzzing for weeks to come.
