Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving dropped a 40-piece against his former team, the Boston Celtics, on Thursday night, and his performance prompted quite a bit of praise for Kyrie from around the NBA. However, there was no higher compliment than that from Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard.

According to Lillard, Irving's showing was the best he had ever witnessed (h/t Hoop Central on Twitter):

Dame was probably exaggerating here. Kyrie did have a tremendous outing against the Celtics as he led a Kevin Durant-less Nets to a 121-109 victory, but we wouldn't go as far as saying that this was a GOAT-caliber performance. Be that as it may, we need to give credit to where it is due, and Irving absolutely deserves all the accolades coming his way after that amazing performance.

Interestingly, Lillard will get the chance to test his skills against Irving in a couple of weeks' time. The Blazers host the Nets on March 23 in what should be an epic showdown between two of the best point guards of their generation.

Lillard and Irving are all-time greats and both are probably going to be Hall of Famers. At this point, both players are nearing the twilights of their respective careers, so we only have a handful of years left to enjoy these two in action.

Mark your calendars for March 23rd. All the friendship and mutual respect will be set aside as these two go at it with everything they have. Assuming, of course, that both will be fit to play for that one.