Tristan Thompson believes Kyrie Irving was only a couple of inches away from becoming the greatest basketball player the NBA has ever seen.
Appearing on Club Shay Shay, Thompson spoke on Irving’s incredible skill set, and he did not hold back, raving about his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate.
“If Kyrie was two inches taller, he’d be the best player to ever touch a basketball. Think about it. Have you ever seen Kyrie get his shot blocked? Never. And he’s only, what, 6’2″ or 6’3″? Now imagine if he was 6’5″. What he’d be able to do would be out of this world. Even if you ask LeBron, he’d probably tell you Kyrie is one of the most talented players ever. Put Kyrie in a workout, and he can do anything. He has no flaws in his game.”
It feels like a pretty bold claim, especially with the names that consistently dominate that debate, but Thompson wasn’t talking about his accomplishments. He was speaking on pure basketball ability.
For years, Irving has been regarded as one of the most gifted offensive talents in the league. His ball handling is hailed as the best ever in basketball history, and his finishing package around the rim remains unmatched. And his ability to create difficult shots with either hand has earned praise from teammates and opponents alike.
His size might be one of the few limitations in his game. Listed at 6-foot-2, Irving has spent his career scoring against defenders several inches taller than him. Despite that disadvantage, he has one of the deepest finishing bags in NBA history, with elite footwork, body control, and a touch to avoid the shot blockers.
Adding two inches to a player who has such a deep bag would have changed everything.
A 6-foot-5 version of Kyrie Irving would have been able to score over defenders easily and finish around the rim with greater ease and separation.
It’s quite impossible to prove, but it’s easy to understand why Thompson views it that way after spending years watching Irving up close.
These two were the two members of the Cavaliers’ championship team in 2016, alongside LeBron James. Irving averaged 27.1 points in that NBA Finals, including an iconic Game 7 three-pointer over Stephen Curry that helped the Cavaliers seal their only title in franchise history.
Thompson has frequently praised the stars he has played with during his appearance on Club Shay Shay. In the same interview, he explained why he believes LeBron separates himself from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as a leader. He also shared a touching story about how Khloe Kardashian looked after her epileptic brother, allowing him to continue to play in the NBA.
Fans will always debate where Kyrie belongs among the game’s all-time greats, but inside NBA circles, his skill is unquestioned. Thompson just took it a step further.
