LeBron James Declares Kyrie Irving ‘Most Gifted Player in NBA History’ — But Playfully Mourns Their Split
LeBron James Declares Kyrie Irving ‘Most Gifted Player in NBA History’ — But Playfully Mourns Their Split
By Sports Desk – June 28, 2025
LOS ANGELES – In a glowing display of admiration, Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James recently lavished praise on his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Kyrie Irving, calling him “the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen” while expressing bittersweet disappointment that they’re no longer teammates.
The comments came during a candid episode of Mind the Game, the podcast James co-hosts with J.J. Redick. Reflecting on Irving’s meteoric rise and ongoing impact with the Dallas Mavericks, LeBron—still carried by nostalgia—struggled to balance pride with a twinge of frustration at not being reunited on court.
> “I’m so fucking happy and so proud to watch him continue his growth,” LeBron said.
“And at the same time, I’m so fucking mad that I’m not his running mate anymore.”
The moment spoke volumes—not just of the indelible bond forged during their 2016 NBA championship run in Cleveland, but of the lasting chemistry and respect that defined their partnership.
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🧙♂️ “The Wizard” of the Hardwood
LeBron affectionately dubbed Kyrie “the wizard,” a nod to his unparalleled offensive arsenal.
> “There was nothing on the basketball floor that Kyrie couldn’t do,” he emphasized.
“You having a guy like that as the ultimate wild card—it’s like having a ‘Draw 4’ every time someone deals you cards in UNO.”
This praise comes amid Irving’s stellar performance for Dallas. In the 2024–25 playoffs, he has averaged an impressive 22.8 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds on 48.5% shooting from the field and 42.1% from three-point range . His early burst—dropping 24 points in the first half of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals—helped cement their unexpected march to the NBA Finals .
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A Bittersweet Reunion: When Lakers Talked Trade
LeBron has long eyed a reunion with Irving beyond Cleveland. During the 2023–24 trade season, the Lakers actively pursued Irving, offering a package centered around Russell Westbrook and future draft picks—but Dallas ultimately retained him . His move to Dallas, instead of Los Angeles, left LeBron visibly disappointed.
> “I can’t sit here and say I’m not disappointed on not being able to land such a talent… someone I had great chemistry with,” James told ESPN .
Echoing that sentiment on the podcast, he admitted the Mavs’ Finals push stung—because it belonged not to him and Kyrie partnering again, but to Irving and Luka Dončić.
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From Cavaliers to Mavericks: A Friendship That Endures
James and Irving joined forces in Cleveland from 2014 to 2017, reaching the NBA Finals three straight times and clinching the championship in 2016—thanks to Irving’s iconic Game 7 buzzer‑beater . While Irving’s decision to request a trade in 2017 created friction, the two eventually reconciled, evolving into mature competitors—admiring and rooting for each other from afar .
Irving reciprocated, saying he “appreciated” LeBron’s public praise, acknowledging the former MVP’s impact not only on the court but off it:
> “Obviously, I’m in a different age, different place in my life… we both have been able to mature and really appreciate what we got a chance to accomplish.”
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What LeBron’s Words Mean for the NBA
1. Rekindling Legend Status:
LeBron’s comments reinforce Irving’s credentials as one of the most electrifying and versatile offensive talents of his generation—proof that their 2016 campaign was no flash in the pan, but a preview of sustained excellence.
2. Cross-Coast Chemistry:
Despite fandom and narratives, the LeBron–Kyrie bond defied geography. Their camaraderie highlights how elite NBA relationships transcend locker rooms and fan bases.
3. Fuel for Mavericks’ Finals Run:
LeBron’s public salute adds psychological fuel to Dallas’s charge. Knowing that a basketball titan admires and perhaps envies his journey could invigorate Irving even more in the Finals.
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Perspectives from the League
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin noted that LeBron’s blend of respect and rue reflects deep chemistry that cannot be easily replaced . NBC Sports’s Kurt Helin echoed similar sentiments, observing that LeBron was “so mad at the same time that I’m not his running mate anymore” — a rare mix of deep pride and frustration .
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The Road Ahead: Will Realignment Ever Happen?
Questions linger: Could we ever see them don Lakers jerseys together? As long as Irving remains in Dallas—under his current multi-year contract—and with both superstars advancing in age, another collab seems increasingly unlikely.
Yet, LeBron continues to push for excellence. His praise, while wistful, is grounded in the values of competition, respect, and admiration: the ingredients of a legendary duo that defined a generation.
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⏳ The Final Word
On the Mind the Game podcast, LeBron’s emotional admission underscored a bittersweet reality: greatness can build friendships, but greatness chasing greatness may pull them apart.
> “He’s the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen,” LeBron declared.
“And I’m so fucking mad I’m not his running mate anymore.”
These words, delivered with both awe and longing, transcend typical teammate praise—they capture the enduring bond between two generational talents who, briefly in Cleveland and sometimes in spirit, played better together than anyone else could.
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BOTTOM LINE: Even as rivals now, LeBron’s emotional salute reminds the basketball world: sometimes the greatest rivalries are also the nearest friendships.
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