Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis recently named Kyrie Irving as the toughest player to guard in the NBA. Ellis shared his thoughts during an appearance on “The Deuce & Mo Podcast,” where he broke down what makes Irving such a challenge for defenders.
“Kyrie Irving is probably the toughest to guard,” Ellis said, via Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area. He emphasized how Irving’s ability to score from all over the court puts defenders in a difficult position.
For Ellis, guarding players who can shoot well from deep is particularly challenging. “If you can shoot the 3 at a high clip, it’s like, damn, because now I have to press up and I can’t use my wingspan,” Ellis explained.
He pointed out that players like Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry, and Damian Lillard also fit this category, as any room left open will result in a shot going up.
Ellis acknowledged that while several players are difficult to guard because of their shooting ability, Irving presents a more diverse threat. “Kyrie, he can shoot it from 3, but he can also get to his spot in the mid-range,” Ellis said. He added that Irving’s creativity on the floor keeps defenders off balance, making it even harder to anticipate his moves.
“You’ll think you have him, and he’ll just throw something up with the left hand, and it’ll hit nothing but net,” Ellis noted. This unpredictability, combined with Irving’s deep shooting range and ball-handling skills, sets him apart as a formidable opponent.
Last season, Irving averaged 25.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game for the Dallas Mavericks. His versatility and offensive prowess helped lead the team to a deep playoff run, showcasing why defenders like Ellis find him so challenging to guard.
