In a recent appearance on the “No Media Show,” former Utah Jazz point guard and two-time Olympic gold-medalist Deron Williams made a stunning statement about his former teammate Kyrie Irving. Williams, who played with Irving on the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2016-17 season, declared that Irving is the most skilled player he’s ever seen, citing his incredible offensive abilities.
“Kyrie is the most skilled player I’ve ever seen, as far as just pure skill. There’s nothing on the offensive end that he can’t do,” Williams said. “He’s posting up dudes who are six-foot-six, six-foot-seven. He’s hitting runners with his left hand for [the game. The dude is just skilled. I’ve never seen anybody dribble the ball like him. He’s a wizard with the basketball.”
View this post on Instagram
Williams’ praise for Irving, who helped Team USA win the gold in Rio during the 2016 Olympics, is particularly notable given the talented players he’s shared the court with throughout his 12-year NBA career. In addition to Irving, Williams has played alongside LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko, Kevin Love, Mehmet Okur, Gordon Hayward, and Al Jefferson.
Despite playing with such an impressive array of talent, Williams’ experience with Irving left a lasting impression. The two-point guards played together for the Cavaliers during some of Irving’s top seasons, and Williams has firsthand knowledge of what makes Irving so unique.
Williams’ own NBA career was marked by impressive achievements, including two All-Star appearances and two All-NBA team selections with the Jazz. He led the franchise to its lone Western Conference Finals appearance outside the Karl Malone and John Stockton era. Although his time in Utah ended abruptly in 2011, Williams is remembered fondly as one of the Jazz greats.
While Williams may not be headed to the Hall of Fame, his endorsement of Irving’s skills carries significant weight. As a point guard, Williams understands the demands of the position and the qualities required to thrive. His bold claim about Irving serves as a testament to the Cavaliers star’s incredible talent and reinforces his status as one of the most skilled players in the league today.
