In the latest sports news, Kyrie Irving admitted he could’ve done things differently when looking back at his exit from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Irving had some memorable moments in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform. It was his three-pointer in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals that served as the knockout punch to cement arguably the greatest NBA upset, as they took out the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. For analysis and odds around NBA teams to get to the Finals this season, check out https://www.betustv.com.
Just as the team was beginning to look formidable, the player requested a trade a season after that historic championship.
Irving decided that that situation was no longer for him, so he requested a trade, seeking some of the same power and influence LeBron James had in Cleveland but in a different place.
The 30-year-old, who was 25 at the time of the departure, told I Am Athlete he wished he could’ve done things differently.
“If I was in the same maturity line and understanding of who I am, and I look back, we definitely, definitely would’ve won more championships, because there would’ve been a better man-to-man understanding about what I’m going through,” Irving said.
“I didn’t know how to share my emotions. I didn’t know how to do that. So instead of sharing, I isolated myself.
“I just started pouring myself more into the game – I had one of my better seasons but I wasn’t connecting with everybody as much during the championship year. So 2017, it was a different year for us.
“We went against Golden State, we went against a great team. When you’re not a great team and not clicking on all cylinders and together, you’re easily defeated.
“You’re defeated before you can get to the arena. We were in those games against Golden State, but we definitely could’ve given them a run for their money, regardless if they had [Kevin Durant].”
Related: The Business Of College Sports And NIL
Relationship with LeBron James
Many assumed that Irving wanted a change because he no longer got along with LeBron James.
While that wasn’t solely the case, Irving did not communicate with him while he was going through the trade request process, which he regrets.
“We didn’t talk during that time,” Irving admitted. “When I look back on what I was going through at that time, I wish I did, because it would’ve been a good understanding of what the future will hold for both of us and we know how much power we both had together.
“Me and him in the league together running Cleveland, and then being able to put a better team together every single year would’ve definitely been worth it.”
The Warriors with Durant looked like they were going to be the team to beat for years to come.
Without Irving, the Cavs stood no chance against them in the 2018 Finals, as they were unceremoniously swept away in their own building.
Meanwhile, Irving was with the Boston Celtics at the time, as he appeared to be in a situation where his team could win multiple championships in the coming years.
However, Irving didn’t last long in Beantown, as he ended up signing with his hometown Brooklyn Nets, joining forces with his best friend in KD.
Although the Kyrie-LeBron era didn’t end the way many Cavs fans would’ve hoped, they still had one legendary run together.
Irving’s Cavs failed to qualify for the playoffs despite Odds to BetOn in this favour in the three seasons before LeBron came back, but with The King’s return, success immediately followed.
Cleveland got to the Finals for three consecutive years, and although they only won one of those championships, it was as historic as they come.
With the introspection Irving is showing, could that lead to Irving joining the Lakers if he and the Nets fail to agree to terms on a new contract?
Time will tell, but all signs point to Irving staying in Brooklyn.
2 Comments
I hope the author continues to publish informative posts like this one so that you may learn. At the same time, provide a quality, nutritious education for children.
The phrase “chat is core ball game” could also be used to describe the importance of social interaction in sports. Sports can be a great way to meet new people and make friends. Players often form close bonds with their teammates, and these relationships can be just as important as the skills they learn on the field.