Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks remains one of the most electrifying players of his generation, known for his fearless, streetball-inspired style of play. While he’s left an undeniable mark on the NBA, even Irving admits that Kevin Durant is in a different class—calling him one of the greatest players in league history.
The Mavericks guard recently hopped on his Twitch channel to speak candidly on a number of topics, including his turbulent stint with the Brooklyn Nets. Hopes were high when the Nets brought together the superstar trio of Irving, Durant, and James Harden, but the bold experiment ultimately fell short of expectations.
Irving has not shied away from expressing his dissatisfaction with the way things unfolded in Brooklyn. Still, he made it clear that playing alongside Durant was a special experience that he continues to cherish.
“The ‘7/11’ duo of me and Kevin Durant will never be topped in terms of being on the court with somebody that special, right?” said the 33-year-old Irving. “So let me get that disclaimer, alright? I’ve played with a lot of great players, but playing with KD—he’s one of the best of all time.”
Injuries were a major part of Irving’s run with the Nets, where he appeared in just 143 games over four seasons. His tenure was also defined by off-court drama, most notably his refusal to get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to multiple team suspensions and disrupted chemistry.
Even so, Irving is quick to praise Durant, who is widely viewed as part of the modern-day Big Three alongside LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Many current and former NBA stars consider Durant the most gifted scorer the game has ever seen.
Irving and Durant built a strong rapport while playing for Team USA before signing with the Nets in the summer of 2019. The pairing, dubbed “7/11” based on their jersey numbers, never delivered on its championship promise. Irving even confirmed that Durant played a key role in Steve Nash’s departure as head coach.
For now, Irving continues to recover from an ACL injury that has left his return timetable uncertain. But there’s a feeling around the league that the Mavericks star still has more to offer. Meanwhile, Durant now suits up for the Houston Rockets, potentially entering the final chapter of his Hall of Fame career as he chases another NBA title.