The modern NBA is markedly different from the previous eras of the game. This era is often known as the player empowerment era, as players have realized their worth to teams and have started becoming stars that can demand whatever and get it because of their extreme value to the team.
Kevin Durant failed to use his status to get out of a 4-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets, but his teammate Kyrie Irving did that effortlessly in 2017 when he asked out of the Cleveland Cavaliers and was traded to the Boston Celtics. The man who was their second-best player on their only title-winning squad walked away from the team and ended the Cavaliers’ chances of winning the title.
After Kyrie went back to Cleveland with the Brooklyn Nets and walked out with a win, his teammate Durant explained why Kyrie keeps getting booed in Cleveland.
"One thing about Cleveland fans is they're never gonna forget how you made them feel. Regardless of him helping them win a championship, the last memory of him was him leaving the town.“
– KD on Kyrie’s return to Cleveland pic.twitter.com/4VQmBwB84e
— Cavaliers Nation (@WeAreCavsNation) December 26, 2022
Durant is correct. Fans remember the cruel way he left the team for a conference rival. However, time should heal wounds as fans start appreciating what Irving did for the franchise, like hitting the shot that helped them overcome the most impressive regular-season team in league history.
Will Kyrie Irving Have His Jersey Retired In Cleveland?
Considering his importance to the Cavaliers’ only title in history and the shot he hit to make it happen, Kyrie is a Cavs legend, whether the fans or the organization admits that. Retiring his jersey in Cleveland would be complicated, though.
Irving’s positive contributions are undeniable, and he had a better career in 6 seasons with the Cavs than many of the legends whose numbers are already in the rafters. However, he also did leave the team much sooner than he needed to and poisoning his relationship with the city. While he should have a jersey in the rafters for Cleveland, it doesn’t look like it’ll be an easy decision for the Cavs.
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