Kyrie Irving has been hailed by many in the NBA world as the most skilled player ever. Prior to facing Irving and the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka echoed that sentiment and added that the star guard is the greatest 1-on-1 player and offensive player he had seen. Irving was asked about those comments after the game and spoke at length in response.
“I’m appreciative of those compliments and I honor those compliments,” Irving said. “I’ll say this as well. I’m appreciative of everyone’s most skilled compliments, but that’s not the reason why I picked up the basketball. I didn’t pick up the basketball to be the best 1-on-1 player of all time or to be labeled as the most skilled.”
“I just want to be known as a great winner,” Irving continued. “One of those guys that came through our league and left an impact and did it his own way. But also did it with some special teammates and truly was just inspirational in my approach in how I woke up every single day and worked towards my craft and just set an example for not only athletes but for people around the world to follow in my footsteps, to make mistakes in the public forum and learn from them and mature as a young man.”
The 32-year-old also feels such compliments should be saved for after he retires and requests that people who make them look up NBA history as well.
“I’m appreciative of Ime’s comments, but also I want to kind of relay the message to the rest of the world that the most skilled, just save those compliments for after I’m done,” Irving added. “I never want to discredit the people who came before me. There were some bad MFers that came before me. Before you start saying I’m the most skilled, again I respect everyone’s compliments, but don’t put me in that conversation until you really get to know NBA history and who’s come before me and guys that have scored a gazillion points and assists and rebounds and made a true impact.”
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That was quite a response from Irving. While he appreciates all the praise, the eight-time All-Star wants those who came before him to get the respect they deserve for what they accomplished in the league. Whether you believe Kyrie is the most skilled or not, he is certainly in that conversation.
Irving’s skills were on display yet again against the Rockets, as he had 24 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal as the Mavericks won 125-107 to improve to 45-29 on the season. They are now on a seven-game winning run and seem to be peaking at the right time, with the playoffs just around the corner.
What Exactly Did Ime Udoka Say?
During his pre-game press conference, Udoka was asked about Irving being called one of the most skilled players ever, and he certainly doesn’t think all the praise is undeserved.
“I would echo that statement, that he’s the best 1-on-1 player I’ve ever seen or coached or been around,” Udoka said. “And it’s not a one-off. It’s not one game or every other game. It’s an everyday thing. It’s an every-practice thing. He does something that wows you.”
Udoka revealed that when he, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum were with Team USA, they talked about the best 1-on-1 players, and everyone agreed Irving was at the top.
“A funny story, Mike D’Antoni was there with me, and all the great players he’s coached and seen, he tapped my leg once a game when something Kyrie did offensively,” Udoka stated. “So, it’s no surprise to anybody. I think he’s by far the best offensive player I’ve ever seen.”
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Udoka going that far shows just how incredible a talent Irving is. The Rockets head coach isn’t one to just shower praise on anybody, and it speaks to Kyrie’s greatness that coaches like him and players hold the star guard in such high regard.
