Despite injury, Irving's scoring prowess lands him on an elite NBA historical ranking, solidifying his offensive legacy among the game's best.
Kyrie Irving has not been able to suit up for the Dallas Mavericks for a while as a result of an ACL tear that he suffered last season. But that does not mean that we can forget just how elite he is, even in his advancing age.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey, he makes a ranking of the best "pure scorers" in the history of the NBA. And at No. 12 on his list, he has the Mavericks veteran point guard.
The list was headlined by Kevin Durant, as he just passed Michael Jordan for fifth on the all-time scoring list. Rather than just total points, the ranking emphasized efficiency, versatility, and the ability to score at all three levels—inside, midrange, and beyond the arc. It also weighed how players generated offense, favoring those who could create their own shot without relying heavily on free throws.
That framework naturally opens the door for Irving.
Few players in NBA history blend skill, creativity, and shot-making like the nine-time All-Star. Irving doesn’t dominate with size or overwhelming athleticism. Instead, he relies on elite ball-handling, footwork, and touch—tools that allow him to score from virtually anywhere on the floor.
And you would think with him being a "flashy" player that his shooting percentages for his career wouldn't necessarily be the greatest.
You couldn't be more wrong.
In nearly 800 career games, Irving is shooting 47 percent from the field and just under 40 percent from beyond the arc. He even joined the 50/40/90 club in the 2020-21 season, and was the last player to join the prestigious group.
He might not be doing it at as high of a level as he once did, but give him a break, he is 34 years old. And not many players at that age are as dangerous as Irving is.
Ultimately, Irving's rehab from his injury is not going to be easy, and it might take some time for him to get back into the flow of things. But when he does, I have no doubt that the shifty guard will still be crossing defenders out of their shoes.