Kerr knows Irving is big-time, especially on a big stage

SAN FRANCISCO – Golden State’s Steve Kerr is the one opposing NBA coach who knows how dynamic Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving can be on a game-by-game basis on a big stage.

When Irving was playing for Cleveland, the Cavilers faced the Warriors three consecutive seasons – from 2015-17 — in the NBA Finals. And for Kerr, designing plays to contain Irving was unlike any day at the beach.

“He’s just one the most incredible players I’ve ever seen in my life,” Kerr told Mavs.com. “Guarding him, given his shooting and his handles, is difficult.

“I think the most underrated aspect of Kyrie’s game is his brain, which is a fairly common denominator amongst great players. Everyone notices his skill or the athleticism, but almost all these guys, their brain is next level, and that’s what I see with Kyrie.”

Irving will put his “next level” brain on display on Sunday at Chase Center when the NBA holds its annual All-Star game.

Meanwhile, in those three Cleveland-Golden State NBA Finals, the Warriors captured two of those series – in 2015 and ’17. The one time Golden State lost in the 2016 Finals, it was Irving who buried the series-deciding jumper in Game 7 in Oakland as the Cavs rallied from a 3-1 deficit in that best-of-seven series to take the championship in seven games.

Warriors superstar guard Stephen Curry told Mavs.com that Irving is an “all-time great” player who is a nightmare to try and defend.

“He’s super skilled, a competitor and rises to the occasion when the lights are bright,” Curry said. “He had a huge part of the 2016 team that came back against us.

“He’s got stuff, and he does stuff you can’t teach. Those type of skill sets and those type of players are always fun to watch. He’s must-see TV, for sure.”

Kerr said not only is Irving must-see TV.

“He’s incredibly smart, he sees the angles, he sees the chess board and he understand what the other nine guys on the floor are doing,” Kerr said. “Then, he’s able to combine that knowledge and that vision with his handle, and he distorts the defense constantly. He puts you in these really awkward positions. He’s a brilliant player.”

Former NBA player Vernon Maxwell, who won NBA titles with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and ’95 – and also finished up his career playing for the Mavs in 2001 — marveled at the 42 points Irving scored against the Warriors this past Wednesday.

“Did you see that boy, Kyrie, with that ball in his hands,?” Maxwell rhetorically asked. “Did you see that boy the other night? Did you see that boy? He’s special.”

Antonio Davis, who played in the NBA from 1993-2006, also knows Irving is special.

“Kyrie is one of those guys who I don’t feel gets enough credit for his skills.,’ Davis said. “The way he just kind of — over these last few years – has become one of the leaders of our game. At first, being soft-spoken, but now finally speaking up more to things that matter.

“But obviously his play on the floor, especially now, is going to be tested on how far can he lead his team and how much more does he have in the tank. But we need guys like that around for a long time.”

One of the advantages players like Irving has, according to Kerr, is that he can thrive at either of the two backcourt positions.

“Positions don’t matter with guys like that,” Kerr said. “What position is Steph (Curry)? What position is LeBron (James)? What position is Kyrie?

“When you have players who are that good at everything, positions don’t matter. I don’t know what (Irving) is. I just know he’s one of the hardest guys in the league to compete against.”

KERR RAVING ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO: Steve Kerr is very happy that the NBA All-Star game will be held at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday.

“I’m excited about the city hosting the game,” Kerr, the coach of the Golden State Warriors, told Mavs.com. “It’s great for the city. We have a beautiful city and to me it’s one of the best cities in the world.

“We’ve taken a beating PR-wise the last few years with just being at the center of the political culture wars. Like every other city, we are not without problems. But we are a beautiful city and have so much going for us and are thrilled that we’re able to host this weekend and be a showcase for the league, but also for the Bay Area as a whole.”

Kerr is particularly bullish about the 18,064-seat Chase Center, the home of the Warriors which opened on Set. 6, 2019.

“The arena is off the charts,” Kerr said. “The food (in San Francisco) is incredible. To me, it’s one of the most beautiful cities on earth – the nature, the people. There is an incredibly diverse set of interest and people in the Bay.

“It’s an amazing place to live. I imagine that I will live there the rest of my life. That’s how much I love it. I’m excited for the city to get its due.  I think everybody who visits, they’re going to love to come out here.”

BRIEFLY: There’s a lot going on in San Francisco this weekend. In addition to the NBA All-Star Weekend, the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is set for Saturday at 5 p.m. PT. Area officials estimate over 500,000 folks will attend the parade . . . Former NBA player Cliff Robinson said if the Dallas Mavericks can get all of their players healthy, they’re going to be tough to deal with in the playoffs. “Kyrie (Irving) is going to get it go whoever needs to get it,” Robinson said. “So, I think that’s going to be a special team.” . . . San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Stephen Castle was named the Most Valuable Player of the Panini Rising Stars game which was played Friday night at Chase Center. In the championship game of Team C’s 25-14 win over Team G League, Castle finished with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists. And in his team’s 40-34 win over Team T in Friday’s semifinals, Castle collected six points, four rebounds and four assists.

X: @DwainPrice