Former NBA champion Jeff Teague has weighed in on a debate that's been raging among players and fans for years: who's tougher to guard, Steph Curry or Kyrie Irving? The answer might surprise you.
The Case for Kyrie: Unpredictable Isolation
Kyrie Irving is widely considered one of the best ball-handlers in NBA history. His dazzling array of moves and ability to create space make him a nightmare for defenders in isolation situations. As Teague mentioned on his "Club 520 Podcast," "At least you know where Kyrie’s going to be. You going to catch him right at that pass, wherever he’s going to be at in ISO." This predictability, however, doesn't make him easy to guard, just...understandable.
The Case for Curry: Relentless Movement
However, Teague argues that Stephen Curry's constant off-ball movement makes him the more difficult assignment. "You look one way, Steph takes off the other. And then you got to catch up. He just causes too much havoc once he moves." Curry never stops running, weaving through screens, and putting immense pressure on defenders to stay locked in at all times.
Why Off-Ball Matters
Curry's off-ball prowess is what truly sets him apart. While defenders are focused on preventing him from getting the ball, he's already planning his next move, exploiting every opening and tiring out his opponents. "Steph is constantly moving, hitting through screens," Teague explained. "You’re scared of him hitting a 3, so you don’t want to go out there, but you’ve got to be locked in for sure.”
The Verdict: A Matter of Preference
Ultimately, there's no definitive answer. As Teague puts it, "It’s harder to guard those players because you have to go around so many screens... ISO players, it’s just you and him.” It comes down to a choice: get beat one-on-one by Irving's dazzling handles, or get exhausted chasing Curry through a maze of screens. Teague prefers the latter, but other players may feel differently.
Both Curry and Irving possess unique skillsets that make them incredibly challenging to defend. They represent different styles of offensive brilliance, leaving defenders with a difficult choice between containing individual brilliance and enduring relentless movement.