Damian Lillard shares what makes Kyrie Irving and Devin Booker his favorite two players in the NBA
Damian Lillard has a lot of respect for both Devin Booker and Kyrie Irving
© Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports/ © Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
In a recent interview, Damian Lillard said that the two of his favorite players in the NBA to watch are Kyrie Irving and Devin Booker. Lillard had nothing but good things to say about his fellow All-Stars, complimenting how they play the game and what makes them unique.
Lillard's two favorite players
Today's generation of NBA players is more open to sharing respect for their colleagues than the previous ones when the players had a different approach to complementing their adversaries. It was seen as a sign of weakness for many of them, so you first had to earn their respect on the hardwood before they started lashing out compliments.
As one of the most prominent guards of this generation, Damian Lillard commands respect in the league for the type of player he is and his loyalty to the Blazers through thick and thin. While appearing on the Club Shay Shay podcast, Lillard talked about the two players in the NBA he favors the most in the league and would actually pay the money to see courtside.
For Lillard, Kyrie Irving and Devin Booker are the players he would always go and see, and their playing style is something Lillard admires the most. When it comes to Kyrie, Lillard said he has the most beautiful game ever, which a lot of fans would probably admit because no matter what you think of Kyrie, he is a natural hooper.
"I just love the way Kyrie Irving plays; I just love the way his game looks. It's his handles, but it's the way he moves and how he can play the game. He got the most beautiful game ever, just the way it looks."
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No matter what anyone says, Devin Booker is a legitimate MVP candidate because if you look at the success Phoenix Suns have, you can't deny he deserves to be in that conversation. Booker has been one of the best pure scorers in the NBA for several years, making him Lillard's favorite player.
"Book is my favorite player in the NBA."
It's all about the skillset and talent
When it comes to personal matchups, Lillard is more familiar with Kyrie, and he loves how Kyrie's game looks so effortless. He is not the most athletic point guard, but his skillset is unreal, and just overall feel for the game is something not a lot of players in NBA history possessed. Lillard thinks Kyrie is exceptionally gifted, but he also worked hard on his craft to have it on the elite level as it is right now.
It's not athleticism; it's a skill. He is not above the rim, hanging in the air. It's his craftiness and touch and feel. He has a knack for doing it, and it's a gift. You can tell he worked on it, but he had the gift to begin with."
It's great to hear Lillard's perspective on other players he admires in the NBA, and both Booker and Irving are extraordinary and generational talents that we have the opportunity to watch. Booker is a legitimate MVP candidate this season since the Phoenix Suns have the best record in the league. Good things are also finally coming Kyre's way since the mandates are lifted, and he can now play in every home game. He's been tremendous for the past several games, absolutely torching the opponents, showcasing he is rested and will mean a lot for the Nets for the remainder of the regular season and hopefully the playoffs.
Unlike Booker and Kyrie, who are playing and competing for a championship, Lillard ended his season with an injury and is focusing on what is in front of him next. He is willing to stay with the Blazers, who will not make the playoffs, and hopefully try to rebuild their team through draft picks and intelligent signings. Whether that is the way to go remains to be seen, and even though Lillard is saying that he is not leaving, that might change come summer and free agency. Nevertheless, what happens, we hope to see Lillard back on the floor because, just like Booker and Irving, he is one of the most exciting guards in the NBA, with a skillset only a few others can match.
