LeBron James expressed his admiration for his former teammate Kyrie Irving, calling him “the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen.” In a teaser for their upcoming podcast episode, James revealed that he is both proud of Irving’s growth and disappointed that they are no longer playing together. The two had a successful stint in Cleveland, winning a championship in 2016 and making three consecutive finals appearances.
Reflecting on their time together, James fondly referred to Irving as “The Wizard,” praising his versatility and skill on the basketball court. According to James, there was nothing Irving couldn’t do. He described Irving as the “ultimate wildcard,” comparing him to having a Draw 4 card in Uno, capable of changing the game at any moment.
Irving, now playing for the Dallas Mavericks, is back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2017. His performance throughout the playoffs has been impressive, averaging 22.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He has been shooting efficiently, with a field goal percentage of 48.5% and a three-point percentage of 42.1%.
James specifically highlighted Irving’s outstanding performance in the first half of Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Irving scored 24 of his 30 points during that period, leading James to believe that the Mavericks had a real chance of winning the championship.
This isn’t the first time James has expressed his desire to reunite with Irving. During the 2023 trade deadline, when Irving requested a trade from Brooklyn, James made it clear that adding Irving to the Lakers would significantly boost their title chances. The Lakers reportedly made an offer to the Nets, including Russell Westbrook and future draft picks, but concerns about Irving’s impending free agency prevented a deal from materializing.
Ultimately, Irving was traded to the Mavericks in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and draft picks. James took to Twitter shortly after the trade, posting “Maybe it’s me,” implying his disappointment at Irving landing elsewhere.
Despite their separate paths, James continues to hold Irving in high regard. He believes that Irving’s talent and abilities make him the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen. The admiration between the two former teammates is evident, and fans can only wonder what could have been if they were still playing together.