Kyrie Irving is one of the best players in NBA history.
Last year, the 2016 NBA champion averaged 25.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three-point range in 58 games for the Dallas Mavericks.
Recently, New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson spoke about the best trash talkers in the NBA (h/t Over time).
He mentioned Irving surprisingly.
Williamson: “From what I’ve seen, he never takes the initiative, but whenever someone talks down to him, he goes into overdrive; that would be Kyrie.”
Williamson also mentioned Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) and Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) as other talented trash talkers in the NBA.
“The ant speaks quite directly”
Zion on Anthony Edwards’ filthy comments 🤣 pic.twitter.com/3K8tsGXrKZ
— Overtime (@overtime) September 9, 2024
Williamson and Irving have faced each other six times in their careers.
Irving is 4-2 in those games. confrontations.
Williamson has dealt with injuries during his five seasons in the league.
However, he is coming off a year in which he played a career-high 70 games.
The former first overall pick averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 57.0 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range.
The Pelicans finished last season in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 49-33 record.
They were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Mavs were the fifth seed with a 50-32 record.
They reached the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2011 season.
