When comparing the NBA careers of Klay Thompson , Kyrie Irving, Paul George , and Damian Lillard , each player brings a unique set of skills as a future Hall of Famer. From Lillard's incredible scoring feats and clutch shots to Thompson's championship pedigree as one of the best shooters ever, Irving's dazzling ball-handling and pivotal Finals performance, and George's two-way brilliance, the debate over who has had the greatest career is fierce and multi-faceted. But who truly stands above the rest when it comes to impact and achievements?
Career Stats
1. Damian Lillard: 25.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG (4 Points)
2. Kyrie Irving: 23.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG (3 Points)
3. Paul George: 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG (2 Points)
4. Klay Thompson: 19.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG (1 Point)
Damian Lillard leads this category with impressive career averages of 25.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. Known for his scoring prowess and clutch performances, Lillard has consistently been among the NBA's top scorers. His playmaking ability, demonstrated by his assists, also sets him apart from his peers in this comparison.
Kyrie Irving follows with averages of 23.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Irving is renowned for his exceptional ball-handling and finishing ability, making him one of the most entertaining players to watch. His scoring average reflects his capacity to take over games, and his steal rate (1.3 SPG) shows his defensive knack despite his offensive focus.
Paul George ranks third with 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. As a two-way player, George's versatility is evident; he is an elite defender and a capable scorer, often guarding the opposing team’s best player. His rebounding numbers are also the highest among the four, showcasing his all-around game.
Klay Thompson rounds out the group with averages of 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Thompson is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, contributing significantly to his teams' success, especially in catch-and-shoot situations. While his numbers may not be as high as the others, his impact is felt beyond just stats, particularly on the defensive end and in high-pressure situations.
NBA Championships
1. Klay Thompson: 4 (4 Points)
2. Kyrie Irving: 1 (3 Points)
T3. Paul George: 0 (2 Points)
T3. Damian Lillard: 0 (2 Points)
Klay Thompson leads this category by a significant margin with 4 NBA championships. As a core member of the Golden State Warriors dynasty, Thompson's contributions, particularly his sharpshooting and perimeter defense, have been invaluable in multiple Finals runs. His presence on both ends of the floor has been crucial to the Warriors' success alongside his “Splash Brother”, Stephen Curry, and the franchise vocal leader, Draymond Green.
Kyrie Irving comes next with 1 championship, earned with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. Irving’s pivotal Game 7 shot in the Finals is one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. His ability to perform under pressure and his partnership with LeBron James were key factors in overcoming the 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors.
Paul George and Damian Lillard have yet to win an NBA championship. While both players have had deep playoff runs, including George's time with the Indiana Pacers and Lillard's leadership of the Portland Trail Blazers, they have not managed to secure a title. Both players continue to chase this career-defining achievement.
Finals MVP Awards
T1. Klay Thompson: 0 (4 Points)
T1. Kyrie Irving: 0 (4 Points)
T1. Paul George: 0 (4 Points)
T1. Damian Lillard: 0 (4 Points)
None of the four players have won an NBA Finals MVP award, despite their various playoff successes. Klay Thompson has been crucial in the Warriors' title runs, but the Finals MVPs were awarded to his teammates (Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry). Kyrie Irving played an essential role in the Cavaliers' 2016 title win, but LeBron James earned the Finals MVP. Paul George and Damian Lillard have not reached the NBA Finals and never had a chance to win Finals MVP.
MVP Awards
T1. Klay Thompson: 0 (4 Points)
T1. Kyrie Irving: 0 (4 Points)
T1. Paul George: 0 (4 Points)
T1. Damian Lillard: 0 (4 Points)
None of the players have won a regular season MVP award. Damian Lillard, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson have all had seasons where they were in the conversation, particularly Lillard and George. However, they have not secured the league’s highest individual regular season honor and it is almost certain that all of the players will retire without having won the Most Valuable Player.
All-NBA Team Selections
1. Damian Lillard: 7 All-NBA Selections (4 Points)
2. Paul George: 6 All-NBA Selections (3 Points)
3. Kyrie Irving: 3 All-NBA Selections (2 Points)
4. Klay Thompson: 2 All-NBA Selections (1 Points)
Damian Lillard tops this section with 7 All-NBA selections, which is a testament to his consistency and elite performance over his career. Lillard has been recognized multiple times as one of the best guards in the league, primarily due to his scoring, leadership, and clutch play. With the Portland Trail Blazers and one season completed with the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard made all of his selections with the former franchise.
In second place, Paul George follows with 6 All-NBA selections. George's ability to impact the game on both ends has made him a regular on All-NBA teams. His scoring, defense, and versatility allow him to be a valuable asset to any team. George has interestingly only made one All-NBA selection with the Los Angeles Clippers, making the Third Team in the 2020-21 season. The rest of his selections have come with the Pacers and Thunder.
In third place, Kyrie Irving has 3 All-NBA selections, reflecting his offensive brilliance and moments of peak performance throughout his career. However, his All-NBA selections are fewer compared to Lillard and George, partly due to injuries and some inconsistency concerning availability. Regardless, Irving is a player who tends to show up more in big games more often than not, including the playoffs.
Klay Thompson has 2 All-NBA selections. His role as a second or third option on his team, along with sharing the spotlight with other All-Stars on the Warriors, has limited his chances for more selections, but his contributions have been undeniable when it comes to winning championships.
All-Defensive Team Selections
1. Paul George: 4 All-Defensive Team Selections (4 Points)
2. Klay Thompson: 1 All-Defensive Team Selection (3 Points)
T3. Kyrie Irving: 0 All-Defensive Team Selections (2 Points)
T3. Damian Lillard: 0 All-Defensive Team Selections (2 Points)
Paul George leads here with 4 All-Defensive Team selections. George is known for his elite perimeter defense, often guarding the opposing team’s best player. His length, agility, and defensive IQ make him one of the top two-way players in the league and he is the best defender out of the group which is why he finishes first in the ranking.
Klay Thompson has 1 All-Defensive Team selection, reflecting his ability to guard multiple positions and be a crucial defensive asset, especially during the Warriors' championship runs. It might be interesting to see Klay only having one selection because he was an elite wing defender in his prime and even as he aged, can still use basketball IQ to play above-average defense.
Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard have no All-Defensive Team selections. Both players are more offensively inclined, and defense has not been a strong suit throughout their careers. Regardless, Irving and Lillard have averages of at least 1.0 steals per game so they can play passing lanes and use their basketball IQ to impact the court.
All-Star Selections
1. Paul George: 9 All-Star Selections (4 Points)
T2. Kyrie Irving: 8 All-Star Selections (3 Points)
T2. Damian Lillard: 8 All-Star Selections (3 Points)
3. Klay Thompson: 5 All-Star Selections (2 Points)
Paul George has the most All-Star selections with 9, showcasing his consistent performance and popularity throughout his career. George's versatility and two-way play have earned him recognition from both fans and coaches. With the Pacers, Thunder, and Clippers, George’s ability as a two-way player and the smoothness of his game has earned him a ton of All-Star votes from the community.
Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard each have 8 All-Star selections. Irving's dazzling ball-handling and scoring ability have made him a fan favorite, while Lillard's scoring prowess and "Dame Time" moments have also made him a frequent All-Star. In an era with so many talented point guards, it is more than impressive that Irving and Lillard have earned this many All-Star appearances and they aren’t done just yet.
Klay Thompson has 5 All-Star selections. Despite his somewhat lower number of selections, Thompson's reputation as one of the greatest shooters of all time has earned him multiple All-Star nods. Unfortunately, it seems entirely possible that Thompson won’t be able to add more All-Star selections to his resume considering he is past his prime.
Total Win Shares
1. Damian Lillard: 110.8 Win Shares (4 Points)
2. Paul George: 88.5 Win Shares (3 Points)
3. Kyrie Irving: 86.2 Win Shares (2 Points)
4. Klay Thompson: 55.2 Win Shares (1 Point)
Damian Lillard has the highest total win shares at 110.8, which reflects his ability to consistently contribute to his team's success over the years. His scoring, leadership, and durability have kept him highly valuable. Lillard has had to carry a heavy load in Portland for over 11 seasons, making them relevant in the Western Conference. In terms of a player meaning more to a team singlehandedly, Lillard tops the list.
Paul George comes next with 88.5 win shares, highlighting his two-way impact on the game. George's ability to contribute on both ends of the floor is a significant factor in his win shares total. George’s ability to score and defend at a high level means he can contribute to wins more than Irving (slightly) and Thompson (who has been a second and third option for most of his career).
Kyrie Irving follows closely at third place with 86.2 win shares. His offensive talent and ability to create his own shot have significantly contributed to his teams' successes over the years. Irving has been unavailable with injury and off-court issues over the past few seasons and that has hurt his win shares, but that doesn’t mean he is not important to team victories.
Klay Thompson has 55.2 win shares, reflecting his role as a key cog in the Warriors' system. While his numbers are lower, it should be noted that his contributions often go beyond traditional statistics. Thompson has played behind Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant throughout his career, which has hurt his win shares.
PER (Player Efficiency Rating)
1. Kyrie Irving: 22.4 PER (4 Points)
2. Damian Lillard: 22.3 PER (3 Points)
3. Paul George: 19.4 PER (2 Points)
4. Klay Thompson: 16.0 PER (1 Point)
Kyrie Irving leads this category with a PER of 22.4, showcasing his offensive efficiency and ability to make a significant impact when on the court. Irving is an elite shooter from all areas of the court, can generate issues, and is one of the most impactful offensive players ever. The point guard has shot 47.4% from the field, 39.3% from three, and 88.6% from the stripe over his career.
Damian Lillard follows with a PER of 22.3, reflecting his scoring efficiency and leadership as the primary option for his team. With such a minor difference between Lillard and Irving, it is interesting to see how much modern point guards mean to NBA teams in the modern era.
In third place, Paul George has a PER of 19.4, indicating his balanced contributions on both ends of the floor but also reflecting some of the lower efficiency in certain offensive areas. George doesn’t accumulate statistics and efficiency stats as much as Irving and Lillard which hurts his score.
Klay Thompson has a PER of 16.0, the lowest among the four. This lower rating is partly due to his role as primarily a shooter and defender rather than a primary ball-handler or offensive creator. Thompson’s specialist role meant he had to sacrifice his own statistics and praise for the sake of the Golden State Warriors dynasty that won four championships.
Who Has Had The Greatest NBA Career Out Of Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Damian Lillard?
1. Damian Lillard: 30 Points
2. Paul George: 28 Points
3. Kyrie Irving: 27 Points
4. Klay Thompson: 21 Points
When comparing the NBA careers of the four stars, Damian Lillard leads the pack with 30 points, showcasing his status as one of the league's most dynamic and clutch performers. A 7-time All-Star and 7-time All-NBA selection, Lillard is renowned for his scoring prowess, deep shooting range, and ability to hit game-winning shots in high-pressure moments. Despite lacking an NBA championship, his loyalty to the Portland Trail Blazers and his consistent production has solidified his reputation as one of the top point guards of his generation.
Paul George follows closely with 28 points, celebrated for his two-way versatility as a scorer and elite defender. An 8-time All-Star and 6-time All-NBA selection, George has been instrumental in leading his teams deep into the playoffs, most notably with the Indiana Pacers and later with the Los Angeles Clippers. His ability to impact both ends of the floor makes him one of the most well-rounded players of his era, though injuries and a lack of an NBA championship have prevented him from reaching the very top tier of NBA greats.
Kyrie Irving (27 points) and Klay Thompson (21 points) have unique accolades. Irving, known for his exceptional ball-handling skills, scoring, and clutch performances, is a 1-time NBA champion and 8-time All-Star. His role in delivering a title to Cleveland in 2016, alongside LeBron James, remains a career highlight. However, off-court controversies and injuries have marred his legacy. Thompson, a 4-time NBA champion and 5-time All-Star, is arguably the best pure shooter on this list and a critical piece of the Golden State Warriors dynasty. Known for his defensive skills and ability to deliver in high-stakes games, Thompson's career has been marked by both historic success and significant injury setbacks, affecting his overall impact compared to the others.
Related: NBA Career Comparisons: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, And Jayson Tatum
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