The Dallas Mavericks’ 2024-25 season was nothing short of a rollercoaster. After trading away their generational superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, the team was left scrambling to regroup.
Injuries piled up one after another, leaving the roster battered and inconsistent. But despite these challenges, the Mavericks clawed their way into the Play-In Tournament. They managed to take down the Sacramento Kings in Game 1, but their journey ended in heartbreak after being eliminated by the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2.
Now, weeks after their turbulent season came to a close, a bold and unexpected comparison involving Kyrie Irving has caught the attention of the NBA world.
Tracy McGrady Believes There Was One Player Better Than Kyrie Irving at Ball Handling
In a recent episode of “The Young Man and the Three” podcast, former NBA superstar Tracy McGrady stirred the pot with a surprising take.
While discussing his favorite players to watch, McGrady openly praised Irving, calling him one of his absolute favorites. But when co-host Tommy Alter pressed him on whether there was anyone he thought handled the ball better than Irving, McGrady dropped a name very few saw coming.
“Yeah, Jamaal Tinsley. You remember, Jamaal Tinsley? Man, I don’t think nobody had better handles than Jamaal Tinsley, even Kyrie. I think Jamaal Tinsley’s handles was probably the best I’ve seen,” McGrady said during the podcast.
“I don’t think nobody had better handles than Jamaal Tinsley, even Kyrie.” — Tracy McGrady with a TAKE 👀 pic.twitter.com/zlQKo5YRNS
— TheYoungManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) June 13, 2025
Tinsley, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, posted career averages of 8.5 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game. That’s respectable, but nowhere near the superstar level of Irving.
If McGrady had claimed that Tinsley was the superior player overall, it would have likely sparked major controversy, as the stat sheets clearly favor Irving. However, McGrady’s statement was specific. When it comes to pure ball-handling, he believes Tinsley might have had the edge.
Tinsley was 6-foot-2 and had a distinctive dribbling technique. He held the ball close to the ground with a crouched position, making it extremely hard for defenders to swipe.
Tinsley’s quick and sharp directional changes allowed him to freeze defenders or wrong-foot them with sudden hesitations and rapid crossovers. His approach resembled streetball legends, like those in the And1 Streetball League, who thrived on flashy moves in tight spaces.
Of course, McGrady isn’t just any observer throwing out hot takes. With 15 seasons of NBA experience and multiple All-Star appearances, McGrady has the credentials to evaluate the subtle strengths and weaknesses of NBA players in ways casual fans might miss.
That said, while Tinsley may have showcased exceptional handles, Irving is still a different kind of monster. Before his injury this season, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 50 games.
However, Irving’s season was cut short after he tore his ACL in March during a game against the Sacramento Kings, dealing a major blow to Dallas’ playoff hopes. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Irving is expected to make his return in January 2026.
Whether one agrees with McGrady’s take or not, it certainly reignited conversations about some of the NBA’s most underrated ball handlers.
