Klay Thompson calls Kyrie Irving the toughest player he has ever defended

According to US sports media F/W reporter Vishvesha Kumar. Klay Thompson saw it all on the defensive end. From an early fight with Kobe Bryant, to chasing Stephen Curry under cover in training, to trying to contain LeBron James and Kevin Durant in the most important games of his career, the Golden State Warriors marksman built his reputation as one of the premier perimeter defenders of his time. However, when asked about the toughest tasks of his career, Thompson did not hesitate: Kyrie Irving.

Thompson praised his current Mavericks teammate on Showtime with Coop, and his admiration reflects years of fighting on the field. "It's great to be his teammate now because we can talk about these things and try to add color to our last chapter, lead and add our legacy. Because we do come into the league together, you know, the same draft class, 2011. I have a lot of respect for Carey. He's the toughest guy I've ever defended. You know, put him together with LeBron, KD and Kobe. He has no weaknesses in the game."

Considering Thompson it's a high praise. Kobe's footwork and killer mentality, Durant's size and shooting feel, and LeBron's strength and all-round dominance have frustrated defenders for years. But for Clay, the blend of skill, creativity and unpredictability that Carey brings on the court sets apart and becomes a unique and difficult-to-retainer. The history between the two is full of unforgettable moments. As competitors, Thompson and Irving met in three consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 to 2017, a period that defined a generation of basketball. The 2017 Super Team of Golden State overwhelmed Cleveland in five games. In all of this, Carey often finds herself against Clay, the best defensive option for Golden State Warriors against the Cavaliers’ electric point guard. Irving's data illustrates the challenge. In his 18 career games against Thompson, he averaged 23.8 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game, often leaving his best job on the most dazzling stage.

One of their decisive moments of competition came on Christmas 2016, when Irving defeated Thompson in the finals rematch to help the Cavaliers beat the Warriors. It is this style of play that cements Carey's reputation as one of the deadliest key players in the game and is a lingering memory for defenders like Clay. Now, years have passed since these battles, and the two are teammates in Dallas, working together rather than fighting each other. Both are chasing late-career chapters that can add to their legacy, with the Mavericks building around their veteran star Anthony Davis and rookie genius Cooper Flagg. For Thompson, sharing a locker room with Irving was an opportunity to appreciate rather than endure the arsenal that once tortured him. What do you think?