Steph Curry vs. Kyrie Irving: 2021 NBA champion Jeff Teague reveals who was tougher to guard

Former NBA point guard Jeff Teague spent 12 seasons in the league, suiting up for multiple teams and winning an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Over that span, he matched up against some of the best players in basketball history, including LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

But when asked to name the toughest opponent he ever had to guard, Teague didn’t hesitate: Stephen Curry.

Speaking on his Club 520 Podcast, the 37-year-old admitted he would rather defend Irving—renowned as one of the most skilled ball-handlers in NBA history—than chase Curry around the floor.

“They are both tough covers, but I would rather guard Kyrie Irving,” Teague said. “At least you know where Kyrie’s going to be. With Steph, you look one way and he’s already gone the other. He just causes too much havoc once he moves.”

Teague explained that Curry’s constant movement, combined with Golden State’s screen-heavy offense, made him uniquely difficult to defend.

Jeff Teague says it’s easier to guard Kyrie Irving than Steph Curry 👀

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— De🅿️ressed Warriors Fan 💔 (@GoIdenState) August 25, 2025

“Steph is constantly moving, running through screens. You’re scared of him hitting a three, so you’ve got to stay locked in the whole time,” he added. “It’s harder to guard those players because you’re always fighting through screens. With isolation players, it’s just you and him.”

While Irving has long been considered one of the most gifted players in league history—LeBron James once called him “the most skilled player ever”—Teague maintained that Curry posed the greater challenge.

Widely regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history, Curry has revolutionized the game since being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2009. Over his storied career, he has led the Warriors to four NBA championships, won two league MVPs, earned 11 All-Star selections, and collected a long list of accolades, including 2022 Finals MVP, 2024 Clutch Player of the Year, and 2025 Teammate of the Year.

For Teague, however, all the awards simply reinforce what he already knew on the court: when it came to guarding NBA superstars, nobody was tougher than Steph Curry.

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