Credit: Sean M. Haffey/G Fiume via Getty Images

Kyrie Irving drops ‘generational’ praise on former Washington Wizards star, claims it will never be repeated

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 7:00 PM ET

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving gives former Washington Wizards star his flowers.

Kyrie Irving is currently recovering after tearing his ACL during the 2024-25 NBA season. Kai is utilizing this time to engage with his fans.

One way that Irving has found to do so is by streaming on Twitch. Evidently, Irving takes the time to answer questions that fans have for him.

Speaking of which, the 2016 NBA champion recently spoke about former Washington Wizards star John Wall.

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

Kyrie Irving gives John Wall his ‘flowers’

When building a roster, finding an elite point guard is often considered one of the most crucial steps. After all, oftentimes, the offense runs through that player.

Well, during the 2010 NBA Draft, the Wizards found just that as they selected Wall with the number one overall pick.

Irving, who was picked as the top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, recently reflected on the ‘precedent’ that the former NBA star set.

“Let me give John Wall his flowers. He set the precedent being the No.1 pick, being a point guard, being everything that you could want and being an exciting guard in the NBA,” Irving said (h/t Reddit).

He added: “Both of us came onto the scene later on in the rankings.”

For context, both Wall and Irving were ranked number two in their respective draft classes. However, they ended up getting picked at the top spot.

Kyrie Irving makes ‘generational’ admission about John Wall

The NBA is an ever-changing league, and today, most teams prefer to draft talented big men like Nikola Jokic or Victor Wembanyama.

Keeping that in mind, Irving made a ‘generational’ admission about him and Wall being the No. 1 pick in back-to-back draft.

“For us to go back-to-back was generational. … Two point guards going back-to-back No.1 picks, I don’t think we’ll see that again in the best league in the world,” Irving continued.

Since they were drafted into the Eastern Conference, the Dallas Mavericks star then reflected on his battles with Wall.

“So many great matchups against him, so many great moments of just us being ultra competitive because our towns, the hood back at home, was talking about who was better between us two. It made me who I am today,” Kyrie concluded.