“Kyrie Irving is the most skilled player in NBA history”: Former NBA star Rod Strickland claims his godson and Nets guard is more skilled than anyone except Isiah Thomas

Rod Strickland, the godfather of Kyrie Irving, backed the Nets star as the most skilled player in NBA history ahead of their win over the Warriors.

Through the course of his 10-year career, Kyrie has been named an All-Star six times. He’s well on course for a 7th such selection, currently ranked second among Eastern Conference guards in voting.

The Nets star has often been described the greatest ballhandler in NBA history. The likes of Tim Hardaway Sr and Allen Iverson have heaped praise on his handles as a thing of beauty. Kyrie Irving seems to have the ball on a string whenever he dribbling down the floor. His ability to switch directions with a tight handle is entirely in a league of its own.

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Kyrie Irving will himself tell you that Kobe Bryant was his idol, and the Lakers legend is the one player who’s often cited as the most skilled player in NBA history. However, his godfather Rod Strickland is much more ready to give him some props for his offense.

Rod Strickland explains why he thinks Kyrie Irving is the most skilled player ever

The former All-NBA point guard has himself been bestowed several honors as a skilled point guard in his heyday. But he anointed his godson as the heir apparent to AI and MJ’s throne:

“It’s hard for me sometimes to see successful people being chopped down. It’s like you become successful and then there’s all this judgment. … I’ll say this to you and people can say whatever they want to say.”

“If you’re talking about skill and talent, you have to tell me another player in NBA history who’s as skilled and talented as Kyrie is. The great Isiah Thomas, who you said you just had, now I’ve seen him. I’ve seen him before the little Bad Boys image when he first came to the Pistons.”

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“I’ve seen him in Chicago at the Push Excel [Basketball Classic], so I’ve seen Isiah do some things that I don’t think a lot of people have seen. So if you want to name Isiah skills-wise, cool. But other than that, it’s hard.”