Billups: Kyrie is the 'most skilled' point guard in NBA history

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups knows a thing or two about great NBA point guards, and he had glowing things to say about Kyrie Irving before his team took on the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.

"Kyrie is just, he's a wizard, man," Billups told reporters before the game, including ESPN's Nick Friedell, "He's must-see TV. I personally think, as somebody that played the position, I think Kyrie's the most skilled player that's ever played that position."

Irving is playing in just his second game of the season on Monday, with the seven-time All-Star's well-documented vaccination stance delaying his debut and relegating him to playing road games only.

Another person who knows a ton about point guards - two-time MVP and Nets coach Steve Nash - agreed with Billups' statement.

"It's hard to argue," Nash said. "There's others in the conversation, obviously ... But just as far as the ball-handling, the movement, getting to his spots and shooting at all three levels, around the rim, he's off the charts."

Irving will look to improve on his 22-point season debut against a Portland group missing Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Norman Powell.