Some compliments just hit differently, especially when they come from one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. Klay Thompson has faced legends like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant on the game’s biggest stages.
Yet when naming the toughest player he has ever defended, Thompson surprised many by picking a current teammate. His answer not only showed respect but also gave insight into the bond that could define the Dallas Mavericks’ future.
Why Does Klay Thompson Say Kyrie Irving Is The Toughest Player He’s Ever Guarded?
Thompson was speaking on NBA History & Storytellers on the CLNS podcast when the conversation turned to Irving. As he praised his current teammate’s game, Thompson shared just how difficult Irving is to defend.
“He’s the toughest guy I’ve ever guarded,” Thompson said. “You know, put him up there with LeBron (James) and KD (Kevin Durant) and Kobe (Bryant). He’s got no weaknesses in his game.”
That’s no small praise coming from Thompson, who has spent his career chasing superstars around the court. His words carry extra weight because he and Irving battled in three straight NBA Finals between 2015 and 2017, when Irving played for Cleveland and Thompson was a reliable perimeter defender for the Golden State Warriors, often taking on tough assignments against opposing guards and wings.
Now teammates in Dallas, Thompson sees more than just Irving’s skillset. He highlighted Irving’s leadership and the energy he brings to the Mavericks.
“You can just feel that energy when he walks in the building; he elevates everybody, and he is our leader,” Thompson added. “It’s gonna be tough without him for the first five months of the season. But we have such a complete roster now, especially with getting Cooper Flagg and having the length and frontcourt size we do. I am really excited when Kyrie comes back, we can be whole again.”
Thompson joined the Mavericks in the 2024 offseason after 13 years with the Warriors. In the 2024-25 season, he and Irving played 45 games together, with Dallas going 24-21 in those contests. Irving’s season ended in March after tearing his left ACL, and he is expected to miss a large part of the upcoming campaign.
Can Thompson and Irving Become the Mavericks’ New Splash Brothers?
The idea makes sense on paper. Thompson is still one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the NBA with career averages of 45.1% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range. He doesn’t need to dribble much, and his quick release makes him dangerous from anywhere behind the arc.
The Mavericks potential lineup in 2026:
🔹PG: D’Angelo Russell
🔹SG: Klay Thompson
🔹SF: Cooper Flagg
🔹PF: Anthony Davis
🔹C: Dereck Lively II
Bench:
🔹P.J. Washington
🔹Daniel Gafford
🔹Naji Marshall
🔹Max Christie
🔹Caleb Martin
🔹Kyrie Irving (injured)
How far is this… pic.twitter.com/fvvwNr7CKp
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) August 20, 2025
Irving, meanwhile, is one of the best ball-handlers and shot creators the league has ever seen. Defenders often send extra help against him, which creates more open looks for teammates like Thompson.
Together, their styles could mesh well. Irving creates space with his dribbling and scoring ability, while Thompson takes advantage with his shooting. It’s the same balance that once made Thompson and Stephen Curry so effective in Golden State.
However, there are also key differences. Unlike Curry, Irving is more isolation-heavy, relying on his handles and contested finishes. That makes this partnership less about constant off-ball movement and more about finding balance between shots and spacing. On top of that, Irving’s ACL injury means the Mavs won’t see this duo at full strength until deep into the season.
Still, Thompson’s words about Irving show genuine belief. He doesn’t just see Irving as a co-star but as a leader capable of lifting the Mavericks to elite status.
If they can stay healthy and find their rhythm, Thompson and Irving may not be carbon copies of the original Splash Brothers, but they could become Dallas’ own brand of dynamic duo.
