Steve Nash recently made some interesting comments on two all-time offensive talents – Kyrie Irving and Allen Iverson. While heaping praise on Irving since he's his point guard on the Brooklyn Nets, Nash definitely upset part of NBA Twitter with his comments on Irving and Iverson.
The drama began earlier this week when Nash was asked to compare Irving and Iverson as players. Nash, who is a legendary point guard in his own right, uttered that Iverson was special but Irving is more efficient on the court.
Steve Nash was asked if Allen Iverson was a fair player comparison for Kyrie Irving. Nash said Kyrie is more skilled and that Iverson was electrifying, a crazy competitor, and one of the all-time greats. Full quote below. pic.twitter.com/YR0TkRNKwg
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 5, 2021
Of course, Nash had plenty of battles with Iverson during their legendary careers in the NBA. However, Nash seems to believe that Irving is the better player despite the respect that Iverson has garnered over his storied NBA career. Twitter was quick to react to the coach's hot take:
More Skilled? How? What skills didn't Iverson have? He was an absolute wizard on the floor.
Kyrie Irving is no where close to Iverson. There will be another Kyrie Irving. There will not be another Allen Iverson. #HereTheyCome https://t.co/gaIA36QV88
— Kyle Meakim (@Coach__Kyle) February 6, 2021
Kyrie is more skilled, but AI is flat out better. As we have all seen. Kyrie can’t take a team anywhere as the man. AI could, even if you don’t win it all. At least Iverson gives you a chance. You’ll be in the lottery with Kyrie leading your squad.
— Nate Reynolds (@NateReynolds_) February 6, 2021
No disrespect to Kyrie, love his game as well. But iverson was on a different level. kyrie wouldn’t have taken that sixers team to the finals. As his coach, Nash is supposed to say this
— Bez (@effjew) February 6, 2021
During his 14-year career in the NBA, Iverson would average an impressive 26.7 points and 6.2 assists per game. Iverson would also finish his career with a 42.5 shooting percentage from the floor and he would shoot 31.3 percent from outside the arc.
On the other hand, Irving is currently averaging 22.6 points and 5.7 assists per game in his career. The Duke product is also shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three-point range, which are both more efficient numbers than Iverson. But of course, impact goes way beyond raw numbers.
Both Irving and Iverson have been compared to one another throughout the years due to their impressive handles when they have the ball in their hands. But with Nash recently claiming that Irving is better than Iverson in multiple facets of their game, NBA Twitter isn't letting the Nets coach off of the hook.