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Former Nuggets Star Gets Honest About Kyrie Irving

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Nuggets
By Joey Linn | Last updated 8/18/23

During a recent episode of the Late Night Lake Show podcast, former Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets star Nick Van Exel joined the show to discuss several different topics. Amongst these was a ranking of Van Exel's top playmakers in the NBA, which included several of the expected names, but also a special shoutout for Kyrie Irving who is often included on different lists.

More of a scorer than a playmaker, Irving often pops up in "most skilled" conversations, and Van Exel broke down on this episode why he's simply just one of the most gifted guards in the game, even if he doesn't belong on the list of best playmakers in the NBA.

"I think Kyrie is just a gifted scorer, like he can score with the best of them, so I'm not gonna put him in there with those [playmakers] right now," Van Exel said.

While Van Exel didn't include Irving on his list that included Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and Trae Young, he told a story about one of his first times coaching against the Dallas Mavericks guard.

"When I first got into the league coaching, when I was in Atlanta, my first time I'm like Kyrie bullsh-tting. Like Kyrie is just bullsh-tting with the game. Like this is so easy for him."

Van Exel played 13 years in the NBA, including four with the Denver Nuggets.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Nuggets and was syndicated with permission.

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