Comparing teams and players from different eras has been a hot-button topic discussion in the basketball world recently.
Jordan vs. LeBron.
The 90s Bulls vs. these Warriors.
All debates that are tough to win because of how much the game has changed over the past couple decades, but also intriguing propositions that are near impossible to stay away from.
Now, freshly-crowned NBA champion Kevin Durant has offered up a new cross-era take for us to debate: Kyrie Irving is better than Allen Iverson.
The Finals MVP was a guest on The Bill Simmons Podcast on Tuesday and said Irving was a better all-around player than Iverson, including that the Cavaliers' point guard is a better ball handler than Iverson.
“Kyrie is better than AI to me," Durant said, via SLAM Online's Ryne Nelson. "I’m going from like skill for skill. His handle is better. We might have to cut that out—I don’t want no problems with AI. Y’all might have to cut that one. I don’t want that to get out. I’m just saying I feel like Kyrie got more skill.”
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This is a tough one.
Both players have really similar games, each using their dazzling handles to excel in isolation scoring. Irving, now six years into his career, is probably the better pure shooter and has been a more efficient scorer to this point in his career, but he's also had the luxury of playing alongside LeBron James for the past three seasons.
Iverson on the other hand didn't have the opportunity to play with another star until his age 31 season and was forced to carry more of the load with a lesser supporting cast until he was paired with Carmelo Anthony in Denver.
When Irving's career is over he very well could leave behind a better career than Iverson did.
But no matter what Irving accomplishes, I'll take Iverson's handles every time. I mean, the guy pioneered the crossover in the NBA.
Does Durant need a reminder of this?