Klay Thompson just gave Kyrie Irving the praise that will make Mavericks unstoppable

When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving at the 2023 trade deadline, they made the deal to get Luka Doncic a second star to play alongside for years to come. Not only did the two form a quick bond on and off the court, but the Mavericks would end up reaching the NBA's mountaintop after advancing to the NBA Finals to play against the Boston Celtics in 2024.

While the Mavericks would fall short of their ultimate goal, both Irving and Doncic proved that they had what it took to be primary creators in Dallas' offense, until the Mavericks traded away Doncic on February 1. Not only would the Mavericks' identity get stripped after trading away their franchise star, but Irving would need to carry the bulk of Dallas's offensive workload for the remaining month, which may have been a reason that he would end up suffering a season-ending ACL tear on March 2.

There's no doubt that before tearing his ACL, Irving was on an all-time heater of a season, and since finishing the season on the bench, Mavericks sharpshooter Klay Thompson had some high praise for Irving and his skills with the ball in his hands.

Klay Thompson labels Kyrie Irving's game with zero weaknesses

In a recent podcast called "Showtime with Michael Cooper Lakers Podcast," Thompson was asked how he felt about Irving's game and leadership when he is on the floor.

Thompson not only answered accordingly by labeling Irving's game alongside some of the NBA's best players ever to play, but Thompson was also quick to praise Irving's skills, saying he had no weaknesses.

"I put him up there with LeBron, KD, and Kobe," Thompson said. " He's got no weaknesses in his game."

Thompson would later say that Irving was the toughest player he had to guard throughout his career, and after multiple Finals matchups between Thompson and Irving, it only makes sense. Irving has always had an incredible handle with the ball in his hands, and even as age has begun to creep on him, he is still explosive at the basket and extremely athletic.

Thompson would go on to mention how excited he is to play with Irving on the floor again when he eventually returns from his torn ACL injury, but explained how the Mavericks could easily win a championship with the roster they currently have. Thompson explains that during the first half, when both Anthony Davis and Irving shared the floor against the Houston Rockets, the team looked unstoppable.

While there was just one half of basketball played between Davis and Irving, there is some truth to what Thompson was saying. The Mavericks not only looked unstoppable against one of the league's best defenses at the time, but Irving was quick to release that he could give Davis the ball, and he could go to work. Assuming the two stay healthy, they have already proven to be a deadly duo.

This not only speaks volumes about Irving's ability to dissect the game from a mental perspective, but he has also proven that he can be the veteran leader on any team looking to be competitive. Not only does Thompson discuss Irving's basketball capabilities, but he also sheds light on Irving's incredible locker-room presence.

Since leaving Cleveland, Irving has learned how to be a vocal team leader as well as a veteran mind on a younger squad. Now with Cooper Flagg, Irving can mold a future star into a player who is not only unstoppable but also carries the right mindset on and off the court.

Irving will have a long road back before he can reach his full potential once again, but even as he makes his return and gets back into basketball shape, he is always a player that opposing defenses must respect.

Until Irving fully returns to the floor, the Mavericks will have to rely on other guys to step up in his absence. Signing D'Angelo Russell was, without a doubt, a smart value play for the Mavericks, but they must also get production off the bench from other players at the guard position if they want to stay competitive.