LeBron James was eliminated in the first round to the Denver Nuggets 4-1 this year and is getting ready to play for Team USA in this year’s Olympics. Recently he had some interesting thoughts on one of his former teammates this week leading up to the NBA Finals. James on this week’s “Mind the Game” podcast with J.J. Redick, had high praise for his former teammate Kyrie Irving.
.@KingJames talks about the gifts and growth of his former teammate, Kyrie Irving.
Full episode of Mind the Game with @jj_redick drops tomorrow: https://t.co/PKXXT3EcGJ pic.twitter.com/M3uMFATEXE
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) June 4, 2024
“I have so many words to praise Kyrie that I ended up with absolutely none because he’s the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen,” James said. “He has the best gifts I’ve ever seen of any NBA player.”
Redick even chimed in on Irving’s game, calling it “aesthetically pleasing and beautiful.”
LeBron James Gives High Praise To Former Teammate
LeBron and Kyrie History
James and Irving played together for three years from 2014-2017 on the Cleveland Cavaliers, making it to three straight NBA Finals and winning just one in 2016. Both players benefited from each other and enjoyed playing with each other. However, Irving forced his way out and was traded to the Boston Celtics. Fast forward seven years and Irving is now on the Dallas Mavericks and helped lead them to the NBA Finals.
When Irving left Cleveland there was some bad blood between him and James. Over time that bad blood went away and there were even talks this past offseason about him potentially playing with LeBron again in LA. Since LeBron is no longer teammates with Irving, he has to admire his talents from afar. One attribute in particular that LeBron is fond of is his ability to shoot with his weak hand. James said that if Irving is having an off night with his right hand he will just use his left for the rest of the game.
What Makes Irving So Great
A lot of people are probably wondering why Lebron said this about his former teammate. Besides the fact that he can shoot with his weak hand, he is also one of the best ball handlers in the NBA. Some of the moves he can pull off are just eye-dropping of how he can do them. He can shoot from all three levels, and he is also one of the best if not the best finishers ever in the NBA. Pretty much anything you can do offensively he is great at. Irving is also extremely clutch. Notably in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals, he hit one of the biggest shots in league history. There is a reason why LeBron said what he said about Irving and his admiration for his former teammate.
The Last Word
If it wasn’t because of injuries and the Golden State Warriors creating the ultimate superteam by adding Kevin Durant. There is a real argument to be made that the Cavaliers could have won three straight NBA Finals. Irving may have never left and who knows how many rings they could have gotten together, that is how good this duo was. However, that is in the past as LeBron is going to have to sit and watch his former teammate take on the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
