'The Toughest Guy I’ve Ever Guarded:' Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson Doesn’t Hold Back While Praising Kyrie Irving

During an interview with NBA legend Michael Cooper on the Showtime With Michael Cooper Lakers Podcast, Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Klay Thompson didn’t hold back while praising point guard Kyrie Irving.

Irving was the first pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, while Thompson was the 11th pick. The two guards faced each other in three consecutive NBA Finals in 2015, 2016 and 2017 when Irving was with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Thompson was with the Golden State Warriors.

“It’s nice to be his teammate,” Klay Thompson said about Kyrie Irving. “You know, Kyrie and I had so many battles during those years at Golden State. We saw Cleveland four straight years in the Finals, three of them being with Kai. And I’ll never forget, I know you always used to check the best offensive player, and some nights there’s just nothing you could do when you’re guarding a guy like Michael (Jordan) or Larry (Bird) or Isiah (Thomas). Same thing with Kyrie.”

Thompson told Cooper that Irving is the toughest player he’s guarded in the NBA. Irving, who has played for the Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Mavericks, is one of the most skilled players in NBA history.

“He’s the toughest guy I’ve ever guarded,” Klay Thompson said about Kyrie Irving. “You know, put him up there with LeBron (James) and KD (Kevin Durant) and Kobe (Bryant). He’s got no weaknesses in his game.”

Thompson joined the Mavericks last offseason after spending the first 13 years of his career with the Warriors. The four-time NBA champion and Irving played in 45 games together in 2024-25. Dallas went 24-21 in those games.

Irving tore his left ACL on March 3 against the Sacramento Kings and underwent season-ending surgery. The nine-time All-Star will miss a chunk of next season, which is why the Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell, who played with Thompson in Golden State and Anthony Davis on the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Mavericks are expected to start Russell, Thompson, Cooper Flagg, Davis and Daniel Gafford to begin next season. Irving will replace Russell in the starting lineup once he’s cleared to play from his left knee injury.