Sacramento Kings Coach Mike Brown: Dallas Mavs' Kyrie Irving 'Pound for Pound Best NBA Scorer'

Mavs superstar Kyrie Irving was called arguably "pound for pound best scorer" the best scorer in the NBA by his former coach Mike Brown.

DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving has earned a reputation in the NBA as a supremely-skilled ball handler, finisher, and shot creator, especially from those who have coached or played alongside him. 

Since his rookie season in 2011-12, Irving has averaged 23.4 points throughout his 12-year career. Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown, who coached Irving on the Cleveland Cavaliers for one season in 2013-14, described the All-Star guard as being arguably "pound for pound" the best scorer in the NBA. 

“It’s unbelievable,” Brown said after his Kings defeated the Mavs 129-113 on Sunday. “That’s why I say I think, quote-unquote, pound for pound, he might be the best scorer out there. It’s just unbelievable how he can score the basketball.”

Brown mentioned being "amazed" by Irving's ability to finish in traffic. Irving did not disappoint once the game started, given he went on to complete an acrobatic finish through a crowd of Kings defenders during the game in the first quarter. 

“It amazed me back then how he was able to finish in traffic,” Brown said. “I don’t know how he was able to do that – the English that he puts on the ball and all that other stuff.”

With how creative and effective Irving is as a shot creator from the perimeter and in short/mid-range, Brown described Irving as having a "special, special skill set" as a scorer, highlighting the feel he displays to create advantages. 

“It’s just a special, special skill set that he has when it comes to his feel of scoring the basketball from all three levels at his size,” Brown said.

Irving went on to score 23 points, two rebounds, and one assist against the Kings, while shooting 8-17 from the floor and 2-6 from beyond the arc. Despite a slower start to the season than usual, he's averaging 23.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists through 11 games played. 

The Mavs hope to bounce back from their two consecutive losses when they return to action on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, marking the start of a two-game road trip.