Kyrie Irving is often described as an artist because of the way he moves with the ball in his hands. Many feel he has the best handle of all-time.
That’s largely the result of Irving’s creative mindset, which naturally carries over into other facets of his life — and led to criticism, as well. Almost every time Irving comments on something or someone, the Brooklyn Nets’ point guard’s remarks are dissected seven different ways.
It’s something his godfather and former NBA guard Rod Strickland tries to ignore. Even still, there are some things he can’t help but notice.
“I’m one of those people that — I’m not too much into trying to dissect the person that everybody’s talking about,” Strickland told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Heavy Live with Scoop B. “I’m usually thinking about the person who’s talking about the person. I’m like a lot of times, I try to think of their reasoning or why they’re doing that. Because he’s who he is.
Then it came time for Strickland to praise his godson for his play — and he did not hold back.
“He’s an incredible basketball player, he’s won a championship, perennial All-Star, sure-fire Hall of Fame, intelligent, good looking, obviously has made all types of money, does plenty of things in the community. So what’s the issue?
“It’s hard for me sometimes to see successful people being chopped down. It’s like you become successful and then there’s all this judgment. … I’ll say this to you and people can say whatever they want to say; if you’re talking about skill and talent, you have to tell me another player in NBA history who’s as skilled and talented as Kyrie is. The great Isiah Thomas, who you said you just had, now I’ve seen him. I’ve seen him before the little Bad Boys image when he first came to the Pistons, I’ve seen him in Chicago at the Push Excel [Basketball Classic], so I’ve seen Isiah do some things that I don’t think a lot of people have seen. So if you want to name Isiah skills-wise, cool. But other than that, it’s hard.”