"Whoever gets the ball first": Tracy McGrady has hilarious response to who would win 1v1 between Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving
NBA legend Tracy McGrady weighed in on the debate over who would win a one-on-one matchup between Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving, but he playfully dodged giving a clear answer.
McGrady was asked about hypothetical one-on-one scenarios involving LeBron James versus Michael Jordan, Dwyane Wade versus James Harden and Kevin Durant versus Larry Bird.
As he was asked about Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving, his amusing reply was:
“Whoever gets the ball first.”
Watch Tracy McGrady get quizzed about theoretical NBA matchups below:
Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving have faced off numerous times in the NBA Finals, as Curry’s Warriors and Irving’s Cavaliers clashed for four consecutive years.
Curry's Warriors secured three of those series, but the most iconic moment occurred in the 2016 Finals when Irving and LeBron James’ Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit to win the championship.
Curry has spent 15 seasons with the Warriors, averaging 24.8 points, 6.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds across 956 regular-season games. He has been selected for 10 All-Star games, has won two MVP awards, one Finals MVP and secured four NBA championships.
In contrast, Irving has played 13 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks. He averages 23.6 points, 5.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. He has been chosen for eight All-Star games, won the Rookie of the Year award and has one NBA championship.
Irving marches into next season fresh off an NBA Finals appearance with the Mavericks, and he is set to team up with Curry's former Splash Brother, Klay Thompson, in the 2024-25 season.
Damian Lillard’s take on the Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving debate
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has ranked Kyrie Irving as the most skilled player he’s faced, placing him above other future Hall of Famers like Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook.
On the "It Is What It Is" show last year, Lillard was asked to name the top three players he has competed against. Without hesitation, he listed:
“Steph, Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook.”
Lillard praised Kyrie Irving’s game, calling it the most beautiful in NBA history:
“Kyrie is really different,” Lillard remarked. “He’s the most skilled…he has the most beautiful game in NBA history.”
Lillard’s preference for Irving over Curry, widely considered the greatest shooter ever with remarkable dribbling skills, and Westbrook, known for his versatility and triple-double achievements, is noteworthy.
Lillard has faced both players in playoff scenarios, with his Trail Blazers falling to the Warriors twice since 2016 and famously hitting a series-winning shot against the Thunder in 2019.