NBA legend thinks it would've been easy to guard Mavericks star Kyrie Irving

This guard has never been lacking in confidence, that's for sure.

Jan 9, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) reacts to a call during the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is consistently considered one of the most skilled players in NBA history. For a smaller guard, his handle, speed, and shooting allow him to get just about anywhere on the court when he wants it, and he's turned in a good career so far.

Most people agree that he's one of the hardest players ever to have to guard. However, there is someone who is confident that Irving would've been easy to guard.

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Feb 28, 1997; Miami, FL; USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway (10) in action against Seattle Seattle Supersonics guard Gary Payton (20) at the Miami Arena. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-Imagn Images | RVR Photos-Imagn Images

NBA legend Gary Payton, who won Defensive Player of the Year as a point guard in 1996 as a member of the Seattle Supersonics, believes he could've held Irving in check, especially in the 1990s.

"I could've put my hands on him," Payton said on the "Barnie and Rab Show." "See, we're hand-checking. We can control him. All that dribble, dribble, sh**? I get it. That sh**, if I put my motherfu*** hand on you, make you go anywhere I want to and rip you, and I rip you all the time, that's gonna be it. And I'm gonna pound-hound him."

Payton is arguably the greatest defending point guard of all time and he's always had confidence in his abilities, but the hand-checking rules were much different back then. It was encouraged to be more physical in Payton's prime, but the NBA restricted the hand-checking to allow more movement from offensive players.

However, Irving is likely talented enough to succeed in any era, even in the physicality of the 90s. His shooting would be the main difference-maker, as he's nearly a career 40% shooter from deep. That was rare for a guard in the 90s, especially with the volume in which Irving shoots. He probably could've handled it just fine.

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