Durant says Kyrie is better than Allen Iverson was.

[Ryan Lemonds Diary]

I know this isn't UK related but it is a slow time and found it interesting that KD says that overall Kyrie is better than AI. While the Lebron and Jordan debate is legit, I think he is nuts for this take. Kyrie is a better shooter but Iverson was a pure scorer that had to take the team on his back a lot. Lebron demands so much attention that Kyrie gets some pretty good open looks. I know most will say Kyrie is a better passer and Iverson was a shoot first PG but Iverson averaged more assist per game for his career than Kyrie has so far.

 

[SpamburgerHamburger]

I don't think it's that crazy. Not saying Kyrie is better than AI, but it's a legit debate. I think their situations are different enough you can't just compare numbers. The points KD makes in that interview make a pretty good argument.

 

[bowfreak]

Irving better than Iverson....pfffft.

 

[SemperFiCat]

No, absolutely, positively not! AI was a special, almost generational type player. Kyrie is just really good. KD is caught up in the moment.

 

[TankedCat]

yesterday on PTI, unrelated to this they were saying some stat has Curry and Durant having about 200 dribbles on average in a game. Irving has over 400. The implication was his dominant ball handling was hurting the Cavs because scorers other than James weren't getting the touches they need to be productive.

I don't see how you can compare Iverson to Irving. Its two very different situations.

 

[EliteBlue]

I don't think it is even close. Iverson was a top 5 player in the league during his time and carried a team full of Eric Snow's on his back. Give him a guy like LeBron or KD and he has multiple championships. Better scorer, averaged more assist, and it isn't like he was a push over on defense.

Kyrie isn't even a top 3 PG right now. He comes in anywhere from 4-6; Best case he is 3rd and he benefits greatly from having the best player in the world beside him drawing 2-3 defenders.

 

[Mr_GG]

Irving - Couldn't make the playoffs in the terrible East until Lebron returned
AI - took a terrible roster to the finals & one 1 game vs Shaq & Kobe

 

[Cardsstink]

Better at handling his money? Probably. Better basketball player? Not even close.

 

[Ryan Lemonds Diary]

I think Kyrie is in the situation that Prickett was in when Mash was here. Mash drew so much attention that Prickett looked like he was going to be an all American but then Mashburn leaves and Prickett is no longer getting the benefit of being the secondary offensive post player and he never looks better than he did his freshman year. I think if you take Lebron from this team Kyrie struggles to be the man getting all the defensive attention.

 

[X-Man96]

Kyrie isn't even in the same universe as Iverson as a basketball player.

 

[KYNC89]

Hahahahahaha. Iverson took a bunch of losers to the finals. Kyrie couldn't do that. Durant doesn't know.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I think Kyrie is in the situation that Prickett was in when Mash was here. Mash drew so much attention that Prickett looked like he was going to be an all American but then Mashburn leaves and Prickett is no longer getting the benefit of being the secondary offensive post player and he never looks better than he did his freshman year. I think if you take Lebron from this team Kyrie struggles to be the man getting all the defensive attention.

Irving averaged like 21 and 5.5 assists pet game before lebron. He did this at ages 19 to 22. Not too bad with no help.

 

[KYNC89]

Irving averaged like 21 and 5.5 assists pet game before lebron. He did this at ages 19 to 22. Not too bad with no help.

Kyrie is a hell of a player but no iverson.

 

[uky8unc5]

I was never a fan of Iverson. Super talent, no doubt on of the elite. But I always felt the media showed him more love than he earned. Yes, I know his scoring stats, and remember 2001. But I felt he was a me-first guy.

 

[KYNC89]

I was never a fan of Iverson. Super talent, no doubt on of the elite. But I always felt the media showed him more love than he earned. Yes, I know his scoring stats, and remember 2001. But I felt he was a me-first guy.

Yeah he was a jerk and had a smug attitude but we don't judge players for their attitude or personality.

 

[jrpross]

I was never a fan of Iverson. Super talent, no doubt on of the elite. But I always felt the media showed him more love than he earned. Yes, I know his scoring stats, and remember 2001. But I felt he was a me-first guy.

I was always kinda torn on my feelings for iverson. Part of me agrees with you. I felt he played very selfishly. But that being said, without him the Sixers couldn't have beaten the dang Washington Generals. What choice did he have?

And the fact that he had the career he did being a flat 6' tall was pretty impressive too.

 

[jrpross]

Yeah he was a jerk and had a smug attitude but we don't judge players for their attitude or personality.

I mean, we talkin 'bout PRACTICE man!

 

[mebeblue2]

Durant has no idea what he is talking about
AI in his prime was much better then KI in his prime (now)

 

[LeonThe Camel]

I know this isn't UK related but it is a slow time and found it interesting that KD says that overall Kyrie is better than AI. While the Lebron and Jordan debate is legit, I think he is nuts for this take. Kyrie is a better shooter but Iverson was a pure scorer that had to take the team on his back a lot. Lebron demands so much attention that Kyrie gets some pretty good open looks. I know most will say Kyrie is a better passer and Iverson was a shoot first PG but Iverson averaged more assist per game for his career than Kyrie has so far.

Not even close. Iverson was a much better player.

 

[FFWhite]

Always thought AI was a selfish jerk but he was head and shoulders better than Irving. AI dominated the game when he was the only Sixer you had to guard. Look at the Cavs numbers in the final when Lebron was not on the floor. That was Irving chance to make a difference. He did with bad shots and turnovers.

 

[Mash 2.4]

Not sure why that's so crazy. Irving is only 25. Needs to distribute better. But offensively very comparable otherwise and probably a better shooter.

 

[Aike]

AI.

 

[spudinthehouse]

Iverson was exceptional on the defensive end too. Irving uh not so much.

 

[ganner918]

Cavs were terrible when Irving was their best player.

 

[uky8unc5]

Yeah he was a jerk and had a smug attitude but we don't judge players for their attitude or personality.

For me....I didn't think Iverson was a jerk. ("Talking about practice" my all-time favorite press conference quote).

In 2008 ESPN ranked him as one of the 5 greatest shooting guards in NBA history. I'm not certain I would rank him in top 5 playing today. (Steph, Westbrook, Kyrie, Harden).

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Kyrie is a hell of a player but no iverson.

I agree.

 

[BlueBlood66]

Cavs were terrible when Irving was their best player.

The 76ers were trash Iversons first few seasons too.

 

[ZZZZCat]

I never understand why Kyrie always gets a pass. He is wildly inconsistent and will be irrelevant once Lebron leaves Cleveland. AI is a once in a lifetime athlete

 

[MWes11]

But Kyrie has 1 ring, Iverson has 0 rings, which to some "experts" out there and on this board, that means Kyrie has to be better, no?

 

[HoptownCat93]

John Wall is way better than Kyrie.

 

[fatguy87]

I mean, it's not that farfetched. Kyrie has much better true shooting than Iverson for his career.

Iverson put up gaudy PPG totals but he did it with rather horrible efficiency. Both his TS% and turnover rate numbers are below average. He also wasn't adept at setting other players up. His career assist/48 is actually lower than Kyrie's.

 

[DevilFan1989]

John Wall is way better than Kyrie.

Only 1 of these 2 is a champion...

 

[HoptownCat93]

Only 1 of these 2 is a champion...

JaVale McGee is a champion and Karl Malone is not either? Your point?

John Wall is a better basketball player than Kyrie. Its factual. Kyrie got a ring riding LeBron's coattails, John Wall carries his team. But I guess you're one of those new age millennial fans who focus on Kyrie's flash highlights above John Wall's all around game.

 

[DevilFan1989]

JaVale McGee is a champion and Karl Malone is not either? Your point?

John Wall is a better basketball player than Kyrie. Its factual. Kyrie got a ring riding LeBron's coattails, John Wall carries his team. But I guess you're one of those new age millennial fans who focus on Kyrie's flash highlights above John Wall's all around game.

Kyrie was the 2nd best player on that championship team and hit the clutch shot to win them that title.

Kyrie doesn't ride anyone's coattails, the Cavs don't beat the Warriors last year without him.

Wall is a fantastic player and I think both are equals. It would be foolish to say one is "way better than the other".

 

[HoptownCat93]

Kyrie was the 2nd best player on that championship team and hit the clutch shot to win them that title.

Kyrie doesn't ride anyone's coattails, the Cavs don't beat the Warriors last year without him.

Wall is a fantastic player and I think both are equals. It would be foolish to say one is "way better than the other".

Ok, Russell Westbrook does not have a ring, James Harden does not have a ring, Chris Paul does not have a ring....but they aren't better than Kyrie lol

John Wall is 3rd team all-nba, led the league in steals, averaged 23 and 10 assists, led his team to the conference semi-finals all by himself. John Wall can score maybe not as well as Kyrie, but its close. John Wall is far superior in defense and passing and that's not up for debate..and if you think so you do not know the game of basketball. Kyrie is one of the worst defensive players in the entire NBA.

Kyrie never made the playoffs before LeBron. LeBron got to game 6 in 2015 w/o Kyrie or Love to help him...so lets not act like Kyrie was anywhere near the part LeBron was in those games. The Cavs would be lucky to even make the playoffs without LeBron.

Trade John Wall for Kyrie...Cleveland would have still made the Finals and been probably the same...Washington probably would have been worse. Kyrie is too much ISO, does not get others involved and move the ball well, and play 0 defense.

John Wall is better. FACTS

 

[Bluegrass79]

lmfao at Kyrie being even mentioned in the same breath as Iverson. What a fukn joke man. hahhahhahahhahhah holy shite that's a good one

 

[fearthebluecat]

AI much better and tougher ....Kyrie is very good...........AI was a beast at 6-0.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Durant is incorrect on this one. Kyrie is a very good player but he couldn"t hold Iverson's jockstrap.

 

[TankedCat]

I was never a fan of Iverson until he went to play in the Olympics to represent the USA when other players didn't want to.

Lebron James was on that team too