Klay Thompson Makes Strong Kyrie Irving Claim Amid Disrespect From NBA Legends

Kyrie Irving has always been that player who leaves people shaking their heads in disbelief. Paul Millsap once said Irving’s reads of defenses are “unbelievable,” while Stephen Curry called him “unpredictable.” His ball-handling often gets described as magical, his ability to shift gears leaving even the toughest defenders flat-footed. Beyond the highlights, though, it is the clutch factor that cements him. The game-winning three in the 2016 Finals still defines him today. But lately, some former NBA players have questioned whether his legacy truly stands.

In recent discussions, Gilbert Arenas stirred things up by favoring Damian Lillard over Kyrie. “If Dame was in a bigger market, trust me, we wouldn’t be even having this discussion,” he argued, pointing out Lillard’s seven All-NBA selections compared to Irving’s three. Arenas even insisted that if stats were shown without names, everyone would pick Dame. The sentiment adds fuel to the narrative that Kyrie’s success is tied more to team accomplishments than pure ability. But Klay Thompson did not shy away when asked about Kyrie on Showtime w/ Coop.

When Michael Cooper asked Klay his thoughts on Kyrie, he had nothing but respect. “And it’s nice to be his teammate. Kyrie and I had so many battles during those years at Golden State. We saw Cleveland three, four straight years in the finals, three of them being with Kai.. This guy (Kyrie) freaking went 17 for 24 on me for 42 points in a finals game. I’ll never forget that.” For Klay, the modern guard play feels unmatched, and he sees Kyrie as right at the center of that revolution.

When pressed further, Klay went beyond admiration and gave context to their shared battles. If Klay’s words are to be believed, Kyrie Irving’s game is nearly impossible to contain. Cut him off one way, he spins back the other. He hits bank shots, floaters, scoops, pull-up threes—there’s no real answer. That’s the mark of a player with the “it” factor, and it’s why sharing the floor with him now feels different for Klay.

Feb 12, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

“It’s awesome being his teammate now because we can talk about those things and try and add to our last chapter in the league together and add to our legacy because we did come in the league together. We’re same same draft class, class 2011. And I just have great respect for Kyrie. He’s the toughest guy I’ve ever guarded.” That respect shines through as he places Kyrie alongside legends like LeBron, Kobe, and KD, calling him the toughest player he has ever guarded. For Klay, Kyrie is not just a teammate now, but an equal in shaping their draft class’s legacy.

Former NBA stars question Kyrie Irving’s leadership amid growing issues in Dallas

The debate over Kyrie Irving’s place among the best guards of his generation refuses to quiet down. After Gilbert Arenas sparked a conversation by favoring Damian Lillard over the Mavericks star, even Kendrick Perkins has added fuel to the fire, and his words have only intensified the ongoing discussion. “Kyrie was just never a Batman on none of his teams. And that’s not a knock to him. Dame was,” Perkins said, making it clear he views Irving as more of a co-star than a franchise centerpiece.

Perkins didn’t stop there. He pointed out Cleveland’s struggles before LeBron James returned, saying, “And when he was the Batman, Cleveland was drafting, they had the number one pick every single f—ing year until ‘Bron got there.” Despite praising Kyrie’s skills, Perkins doubled down on the belief that Lillard carried more weight as a leader. This directly clashes with Luka Doncic’s past remark when he called Irving the “Batman” to his own “Robin.”

Kyrie’s leadership style has been a point of debate for years, and former NBA champion Channing Frye echoed the same concern on the Road Trippin podcast. “I think Kyrie is so talented. He’s like, ‘Guys, give me the ball and then just play off me,’ right? He’s always been that this much more talented than everyone, whereas Dame Lillard’s humility creates a different type of leadership.” Frye’s words highlight a difference in approach that many argue separates the two stars.

Dallas now faces the challenge of balancing Kyrie’s individual brilliance with the team’s chemistry. With injuries limiting his availability and leadership questions still looming, the Mavericks know the spotlight on Kyrie isn’t fading anytime soon.

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