Former NBA player Jeff Teague drops wild Kyrie Irving-Michael Jordan take

Former NBA guard Jeff Teague believes Kyrie Irving could have surpassed Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as an individual player if the Dallas Mavericks star stood 6-foot-6.

During the latest episode of the Club 520 Podcast, Teague backed Irving’s recent comments about his unique playing style before taking his praise a step further by comparing the nine-time All-Star to two of the greatest players in NBA history.

“That’s a fact. I don’t think we’ll ever see someone like Kyrie Irving in the NBA ever again,” Teague said. “If he was 6’6”, he’d be the best NBA player ever. He would’ve been better than Michael Jordan.”

Jordan, who stood 6-foot-6, won six NBA championships and five MVP awards during his career while establishing himself as one of the most accomplished players in league history. Bryant, another 6-foot-6 guard, won five championships during his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Teague argued that increasing Irving’s size while retaining his existing skill set would leave virtually no offensive weaknesses.

“If he was 6’6” bro, there’s no weakness in his game. He would’ve been better than Kobe [Bryant] if he was 6’6”,” Teague said. “His game, bro. It’s nothing he can’t do. He dribbles better than everybody, he shoot as good as everybody, he finishes at the rim just good as everybody, he posts up as good as everybody. Name me something that he don’t do offensively that they do.”

“It’s nothing he can’t do… Name me something he can’t do. He’s not scared of the moment, if he was 6’6″. It’s no weakness in his game.”

Jeff Teague argues that a 6’6″ Kyrie Irving would be better than Michael Jordan

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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 22, 2026

Jeff Teague explains why Kyrie Irving could’ve surpassed Michael Jordan

Irving, listed at 6-foot-2, has built his career around elite ball-handling, shot creation and finishing ability. The 34-year-old has averaged 23.7 points and 5.6 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field and 39.6% from 3-point range across his NBA career.

Teague acknowledged that placing Irving above Jordan from an accomplishments standpoint would be a different argument.

“He might not have won as much as Mike,” Teague said. “That comes with a lot of team success too but just like individual playing.”

Irving has one NBA championship, which he won alongside LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. Teague’s hypothetical centered instead on Irving’s individual ability and what his already distinctive offensive game could have looked like with another four inches of height.