Former Utah Jazz franchise point guard Deron Williams played with some talent in his day both during and after his days with the Jazz. Among the talented players he played with was Kyrie Irving. Even though they didn't play together for long, Irving left an impression on Williams.
So much so that Williams made a bold claim about Irving on the "No Media Show."
"Kyrie is the most skilled player I’ve ever seen, as far as just pure skill. There’s nothing on the offensive end that he can’t do," Williams said. "He's posting up dudes (who are) six-foot-six, six-foot-seven. He's hitting runners with his left hand for game. The dude is just skilled. I've never seen anybody dribble the ball like him. He’s a wizard with the basketball.”
Williams and Irving played together on the Cavaliers during the 2016-17 season. In what would be Williams' final NBA season, the former Jazz star averaged 7.5 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 41.5% from three. He went on to see his most playoff success as a player, as he and the Cavaliers made it all the way to the NBA Finals.
By then, Williams was no longer the star he once was, as he made two All-Star teams and two All-NBA teams with the Jazz. However, he clearly proved himself useful in Cleveland.
Even if he may not make the Hall of Fame, Williams will be remembered as one of the Jazz greats for leading them to the franchise's lone Western Conference Finals appearance outside of the days of Karl Malone and John Stockton.
While his time in Utah ended a little more abruptly than the Jazz would have liked back in 2011, Williams is not considered among the players of whom the Jazz gave up on too early.
Deron Williams played with some fantastic talent during NBA career
Williams making this particular claim about Irving is shocking because he played with some fantastic players during his 12-year NBA career. Besides Irving, Williams played with LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko, Kevin Love, Mehmet Okur, Gordon Hayward, and Al Jefferson, among others.
Given that Williams played a similar position as Irving currently does, it is fascinating to hear his take on the matter since he would know first hand what it would take to thrive in the NBA as a point guard.