Being called better than Kobe Bryant is an honor. It’s still a dream for many. A Dallas Mavericks player was recently named the most skilled player of all time. The thrill has certainly doubled as NBA veterans snubbed the Lakers’ great Bryant in the process. The one named is none other than Kyrie Irving. In the latest episode of All The Smoke Podcast, the panelists discussed Irving’s game. 

Watch What’s Trending Now!

The conversation began with Damian Lillard’s tweet regarding Irving’s accomplishment. The Bucks point guard noted how “Kyrie Irving is the most skilled M* ever bruh.” Soon, many began to voice their approval of the statement across their social media platforms and podcasts. Draymond Green has also shown his approval on his podcast. In the ‘All The Smoke Podcast’, Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson were curious to know DeMarcus Cousins’ opinion.

Without any hesitation, he praised the Mavericks star. Reminiscing his skill set, he stated that for him, the 8x NBA All-Star comes first and before Bryant. “I might have to put him over Kob I have gotta put him over Kobe. That m**********r 5,11 posting them up,” Cousins said, about Irving. Interestingly, the former Warriors star isn’t the only one with this opinion.

ADVERTISEMENT

Co-hosts, Jackson and Barnes also agreed. Barnes asked them to name their Top 3 all-time skilled players. Cousins had Irving, Bryant, and Kevin Durant. The first two names remained the same for the other two. However, for the third position, Jackson named Tim Duncan and Barnes named Stephen Curry. It’s hard to argue the greatest and most skilled among the sea of talents in the NBA. And even harder when the NBA greats have shared their take on this. And it’s quite a solid argument!

Amid ranking him above Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving’s stellar performance is worth every praise!

The 8x NBA All-Star was legendary while leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 107-105 win over Nikola Jokic’s power Denver Nuggets. With few seconds left in the tied game, Irving’s left-handed game-winning shot saw cheers and enthusiastic shoutouts from fellow basketball stars.  “He ( Nikola Jokic) was forcing me inside the 3-point line and as soon as I felt him behind me, I was like ‘Oh, I have my left hand [and] it’s wide open, so why not go to it?’ And that’s the way I saw it,” Irving said about his winning shot.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Mavs Injury Report: Uncertainty Surrounds Kyrie Irving Amid Relieving Luka Doncic News

ADVERTISEMENT

He contributed 24 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds. Irving’s ability to make dribble moves and become one of the best ball handlers is the reason why he is named among the most skilled players. He is a great scorer, can pass, and has an incredible basketball IQ. Damian Lillard and other stars expressing their appreciation are a testament to the same.

While that would have switched on Kobe Bryant’s competitive power, he would have felt proud of Irving too. 

READ MORE: “This Is Exactly What the NBA Wants”: DeMarcus Cousins Predicts NBA’s Future, as Luka Doncic’s 5 Year Old Prophecy Comes True

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

Written by

author-image

Pritha Debroy

3,476 Articles

Pritha Debroy works with the NFL Lifestyle Desk at EssentiallySports, where she explores the league beyond the sidelines and focuses on the cultural nuances of football. Bringing a fresh perspective shaped by her background in basketball lifestyle stories and cross-sport expertise, she highlights how NFL athletes build influence off the field. A graduate of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, our in-house initiative that trains writers under industry experts, Pritha specializes in long-form features and player-driven stories that capture the evolving identity of today’s NFL stars. Pritha combines her passion for storytelling with a thoughtful approach to sports culture and lifestyle. With strong communication skills and an eye for detail, she brings a distinctive voice to NFL journalism, delivering engaging and insightful content that resonates with readers.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Daniel D'Cruz