Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant teaming up on the Brooklyn Nets is one of the more intriguing storylines heading into next season.
Because of Durant’s injury and Irving’s iffy health this past year, they could not play together in 2019-20. That will change next season, and a lot of folks are excited about it.
Irving is as enthusiastic as anyone, and he opened up about why while appearing on The Etcs Podcast this past week.
“This is the first time in my career I can look down and be like that motherf***er can make that shot too,” Irving said.
10 seconds left. Who you got taking the shot?? 😰
Part 2 of @KDTrey5 x @KyrieIrving on #TheEtcs is out now on all podcast platforms → https://t.co/Tx4kiTgwF9 pic.twitter.com/HBpKMtm30s
— Boardroom Podcast Network (@boardroompods) October 1, 2020
Obviously, LeBron James fans did not take kindly to that. James and Irving played together and ultimately won a championship side by side with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kyrie Irving is confident in KD. 👀 pic.twitter.com/oqItHfyzCx
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 1, 2020
LeBron led Kyrie in:
– Buzzer-beaters
– Game-winners
– 4th quarter scoring
– Clutch scoring
For both the entire playoff runs, and for specifically the Finals appearances.But somehow the narrative is that Kyrie had to consistently close for LeBron…
— Philly Mikan (@DlONWAlTERS) October 1, 2020
A certain insecure fanbase will be mad about Kyrie’s quote. But he’s 100% correct.
— READ BIO (@Being_wokes) October 1, 2020
The funniest part? LeBron scored the 7 straight points to bring the Cavs back and tie the game. But those don’t count cause Kyrie hit the last shot (ignoring Bron’s FT to ice).
But when we talk Bron’s game-winners, they don’t count if the game is tied. Endless hypocrisy… https://t.co/C4NJcKv59Q
— Philly Mikan (@DlONWAlTERS) October 1, 2020
In the Finals these numbers are even funnier!!!
LeBron: 8-19, 47.4 eFG%
Kyrie: 4-16, 28.1 eFG%For the people who actually watched instead of just listening to Skip Bayless, this shouldn’t be news to you, though. https://t.co/T5FTnzNO1B
— Philly Mikan (@DlONWAlTERS) October 1, 2020
Meanwhile Lebron is back in the finals for the second time in three years since Kyrie left, and Kyrie has won just one playoff series. https://t.co/wl6BkqvNwg
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) October 1, 2020
Someone has Kyrie on that
good good Brooklyn OG Kush Kush #kyrie pic.twitter.com/BoNPT9PAYD— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) October 1, 2020
Kyrie Irving is amusingly arrogant. He disrespects LeBron James and then ignores the fact that Boston made the East Finals without him in 2018 (injured) and in 2020 (gone) but lost in 2nd round with him in 2019. Oh, and he’s only played 70 games 3 times in his 9-year career. https://t.co/77xV3uQd58
— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) October 1, 2020
James and Irving famously had some squabbles during their time in Cleveland, but later seemingly mended their relationship.
A lot of that appeared to stem from Irving maturing and understanding why James was the way he was during their tenure.
Danny Green’s Lakers teammates have a special nickname for him. https://t.co/SJsvr9cmZd
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 1, 2020
It is very possible Irving simply forgot about James while hyping up Durant. Or maybe he was being a hundred percent honest, and that is genuinely how he feels.
With Irving, you never know.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.