Kyrie Irving Praises Luka, Edwards, New Generation of NBA Stars: ‘The World is Yours’

Kyrie Irving is still playing at an elite level in his 13th NBA season, but the Dallas Mavericks star finds himself in awe of the new generation of young superstars that are making a name for themselves in this postseason.

Speaking to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Irving spoke about what it’s like watching players like Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shine under the brightest lights in the sport.

“These young kids, they have no fear,” Irving said. “When you have that much talent and you have no fear, the world is yours.”

Irving has had a firsthand look at what Dončić can do since he was traded to the Mavs in February 2023. The duo was fantastic this season, combining to average 59.5 points 14.2 rebounds and 15.0 assists per game.

Even though Dončić has been a superstar longer than the other two players mentioned, he’s actually not the oldest member of the group.

Gilgeous-Alexander has Dončić beat by seven months, though both are currently 25 years old. He finished second in MVP voting and led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the best record in the Western Conference during the regular season.

The Mavs and Thunder have traded punches through the first four games of the Western Conference semifinals. Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 34 points in Game 4, including 10 in the fourth quarter, to lead Oklahoma City to a comeback win to even the series at two games apiece.

Edwards, who won’t turn 23 until Aug. 5, has been the driving force for a Minnesota Timberwolves team that won a playoff series for the first time since the 2003-04 season. He’s drawn comparisons to Michael Jordan that he isn’t shying away from.

Even though the T-Wolves have dropped three straight in their series to the Denver Nuggets, Edwards has averaged 30.2 points on 56.4 percent shooting and 5.8 assists per game in five starts.

At 32 years old, Irving isn’t at the end of his career, by any stretch. But he is now a member of the old guard who is bridging the gap between the previous generation and the new group of stars who will lead the NBA into the future.