Damian Lillard Reveals NBA Mount Rushmore, Praises Kyrie Irving’s Game

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard, a seven-time NBA All-Star, recently shared his picks for the greatest players in basketball history during an appearance on Shannon Sharpe‘s YouTube channel, Club Shay Shay, in March 2022. Lillard named Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson as his Mount Rushmore of NBA legends.

“I’m going with Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and I’m gonna say Magic Johnson,” Lillard said. However, the Portland Trail Blazers legend added that none of these icons was the player he most enjoyed watching. “I’m gonna say Kyrie Irving,” Lillard revealed. “I love the way he plays. I love how his game looks—his ball handling, but also just the way he moves and how he plays the game. He’s got the most beautiful game ever, just how it looks.”

Lillard, who joined the Bucks in 2023, also shared his thoughts on the best current NBA players during an August 2024 appearance on the Club 520 Podcast, hosted by former NBA player Jeff Teague. His top picks included Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, and his Bucks teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“Anthony Edwards, I think everyone is super high on him right now, but I like him because his energy and his swag are authentic, and he’s got the game to go with it,” Lillard said. Regarding Morant, he added, “He got into some trouble, and people kind of turned off to him, but I know what I am looking at.”

Lillard’s accolades further cement his status as one of the NBA’s elite. He has won the Maurice Lucas Award (2013), two Magic Johnson Awards (2017, 2020), and was named MVP of the 2020 NBA Bubble. Despite not yet securing an NBA championship, Lillard’s career achievements and insights into the game continue to resonate with fans and players alike.

Meanwhile, LeBron James extended his record to 21 All-Star selections on January 23, 2025, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s previous record of 19. James, who turned 40 last month, will start in the Western Conference lineup alongside Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In the Eastern Conference, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the fan vote and will start alongside Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, and Joel Embiid.

The All-Star Game, set to take place in San Francisco, will feature a new format this season, with 24 players divided into three teams. The seven reserves from each conference will be announced next Thursday, determined by votes from conference coaches.