Lakers News: Kyrie Irving Opens Up About Time With LeBron James On ‘The Shop’
Nba Rumors: Kyrie Irving Believes Lebron James Leaked Trade Request
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Brooklyn Nets playmaker Kyrie Irving and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James have quite a history, dating back to the time they helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win the franchise’s first-ever NBA championship.

The Cavaliers drafted Irving a year after James left Cleveland for the Miami Heat. Three years later, the now-four-time NBA champion returned to his stomping grounds, creating a lethal duo with the younger All-Star.

Even though Irving and James went to four NBA Finals together, winning one of them, they fell out before the former left the Cavaliers for the Boston Celtics. The two NBA stars have made up since then — and reportedly even wanted to team up again in L.A. this summer.

Irving said on UNINTERRUPTED’s “The Shop” that his time in Cleveland was emotionally challenging, particularly having to embrace the role of James’ successor:

I was watching the “30 for 30” on “The Decision.” A year later I was drafted into that Cleveland emotional train of the prodigal son, [the] Chosen One has left. Here we have this 19-year-old kid, I’m 6’2’’, I’m not jumping out of the gym. Emotionally, I was dealing with things that I had no idea… had nothing to do with me. Absolutely nothing. So when I took on that pressure, and as my own, I started feeling like I got to bring Cleveland back to the promised land. That was a solo act.

Irving also recalled the unbelievable expectations that James had to face after he reunited with the Cavaliers:

We can sit here for hours [if] I was going through the details, combing through it. But I think the greatest thing I would tell the youth is: superheroes need help. The leader of the team doesn’t always have to take on the burden and Bron took on crazy burden.

Commenting on Irving’s recollection of crossing paths with James, the Lakers All-Star showed some love for his former teammate, saying he’s been “truly so misunderstood”:

Irving and James could still re-join forces with the Nets guard believed to be targeting the Lakers if he ends up leaving Brooklyn in free agency next year.

James congratulates Serena Williams on ‘unbelievable career’

That same day, James congratulated Serena Williams on her illustrious career after the 40-year-old tennis star retired from the sport.

“You’re a goat. I mean, what you’ve done for the sport of tennis, what you’ve done for women, and what you’ve done for just the category of sport, period, is unprecedented,” James said about the 23-time Grand Slam singles winner.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

You May Also Like

Lakers News: Artist Jonas Never Shares Sneak Peek Of New Purple and Gold 75th Anniversary Team Mural

The NBA released its 75th-year anniversary team last season with current and former Los Angeles Lakers dominating the list…

Lakers News: Rob Pelinka Describes How Time As Agent Prepared Him For General Manager Position

The Los Angeles Lakers made an abrupt shift in their management regime last season when Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak…

Lakers News: Anthony Davis Explains What Happened On Mike Conley Foul In Final Play Of Regulation

When Dennis Schroder knocked down a corner 3-pointer with just 1.4 seconds left, it looked as if the Los Angeles Lakers…

FOCO Selling LeBron James All-Star Game Bobblehead & Commemorative Bear

FOCO released a new LeBron James All-Star Game bobblehead in addition to a commemorative bear to…