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Hall of Famer Nathaniel Archibald: “I Don’t Watch the Games Anymore Because He Ain’t Playing… Nobody Plays Like Him. Nobody in the World Plays Like This Kid. Kyrie Irving Is Much Better Than Me.”

Published 12/18/2021, 6:30 AM EST

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Former NBA player Nathaniel “Tiny” Archibald played for fourteen years in the NBA. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. Widely known for his skills as a guard, Nate Archibald set a new standard for the NBA with each game he played.

During a conversation with him, Archibald talked about the toughest opponent, he faced during his NBA career, about the new generation NBA game, and about Stephen Curry breaking the record for the most three-pointers made in NBA history.

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Nate Archibald puts Kyrie, Pete, and Isaiah in the same category

Recently, Archibald was selected for the NBA 75. In 1972-73, he was the scoring leader in the NBA averaging at around 34 points per game.

As part of the 75th anniversary of the NBA, Archibald spoke with NBA.com about his experience. The 73-year-old Hall of Famer expressed his excitement over being included in the NBA 75, saying that at this point he was just trying to breathe and be alive. As he mentioned, 50 years ago, the world was vastly different from what it is today. 

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In response to a question about his favorite players, he said:

“I love to see Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker

WATCH THIS STORY: Anthony Davis, Scottie Pippen, & Other Teammates of LeBron James and Michael Jordan Pick Sides in GOAT Debate

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Upon being asked about Irving’s game and his statement that Irving reminds him of himself, Archibald replied as follows:

I don’t watch the games anymore because he ain’t playing. His dad (Drederick) said he plays like me and I was like nobody plays like him. Nobody in the world plays like this kid.  Kyrie Irving is much better than me. I don’t compare my game to anyone – it’s not unique, it was different back then than it is now. You can’t put yourself in the game now and I can’t put him in the game back then.”

In conversation, he was asked about the best point guards, he ever faced in his career and he mentioned that Pete Maravich and Isaiah Thomas were the best and he didn’t want to play against either of them because of their skills and game. Following that, he said: Talking ballhandling skills, best I ever saw was Kyrie”.

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Written by:

Anshika Rai

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Anshika Rai is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. Anshika has been following NBA for many years now.
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