Klay Thompson Names Current Teammate As 'Toughest Player I've Ever Guarded'

Klay Thompson has had an amazing career between the Warriors and Mavericks, and in that time, he's faced up against some of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen. That includes facing LeBron James in the NBA Finals on multiple occasions, and with over 1,000 total games played, he's seen every great player this generation has to offer.

Now, during an appearance on the Showtime with Michael Cooper podcast, he's revealed who the toughest player to guard in that time has been. Unsurprisingly, that player happens to be his current teammate Kyrie Irving, who he could not praise enough during the interview.

“He’s the toughest guy Ive ever guarded, I put him up there with LeBron, KD, & Kobe… You can just feel that energy when he walks in the building, he elevates everybody... he's such a great leader”

However, Thompson isn't the first player to say this, as Irving's crafty handling and endless 'bag' make him one of the toughest players in the NBA to guard in any era. On top of that, he made the iconic, NBA Finals sealing shot back in 2016 against Thompson's Warriors, and that's a moment that will live forever in NBA history to show just how good Irving was at his best.

If Irving can get back to 100% this season, we'll get to see this duo alongside Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg this year, and with so much talent around them, they may be a dark horse team in a loaded Western Conference in 2025/26.