Chosen in 1st position in the 2011 Draft, a year following the highly publicized departure of LeBron James to Miami, Kyrie Irving was supposed to take over the reins at the Cavs and make people forget (a little) the former local idol. To take over from the King, a mission that was not easy for Uncle Drew.
Offseason requires, NBA players pass the time as they can. Some do a series of workouts to prepare for the next season, others participate in summer leagues to keep in shape, not forgetting those who are on the EuroBasket grounds. Summer is also the perfect time to see some declas come out. There is the traditional “we will do the Playoffs this year” or “I am aiming for the All-Star Game in 2023”, classics. There are also other stories that are a little tastier, anecdotes regarding times past. On the program today, a Kyrie Irving who confides in his early career in Cleveland. Chosen as the first draft pick a year following LeBron James left for Miami, the point guard was supposed to become the new local darling. No small feat when you know who he was to replace in the hearts of fans. Alex Reed in the last episode of The Shop (video to be found at the end of the article) for the media UninterruptedUncle Drew opened up regarding how he felt when he arrived in Ohio.
“Playing with Bron like playing with Kevin Durant, they are two of the best players in history. But in our culture, they’re two real icons, and I had to follow in LeBron’s footsteps, which was very uncomfortable for me because at that point in my life, I didn’t know where I wanted to go. .
I watched The Decision. A year later, I got drafted onto this emotional Cleveland train of the prodigal son, the chosen one is gone, and here we have this 19-year-old kid. Emotionally, I was dealing with things I had no idea regarding and they had nothing to do with me. Absolutely nothing. So when I took that pressure as my own, I started thinking to myself, “I have to take Cleveland back to the promised land. »
Having to manage the succession of a legend like LeBron James is a huge piece and a huge pressure to bear. For any confirmed All-Star of the League, it would already be very complicated but then go ask a rookie (admittedly a first pick but still) to go and forget the Chosen One in Cleveland. Good luck ! Not content with being the child of the country and the face of the League for the present and the future, James is also the reigning two-time MVP at the time of his departure in Florida. Pay your pressure for the one who has to take over… Fortunately for Kyrie, he will only have to wait three seasons to see the famous number 23 return to Ohio, thus removing a good big dose of pressure from his shoulders. Ironically, Irving will ask for his trade a few years later to come out of James’ shadow and take over the reins of a team as number one. A choice not necessarily a winner given his career over the past five years. While a reunion with the King was once considered this summer, Irving ultimately stayed in Brooklyn alongside Kevin Durant. A last year at the Barclays Center before going to find his friend Bron in LA? After all, Uncle Drew is a free agent in the summer of 2023…
Taking over from LeBron James is never an easy task, and even less so for a freshly drafted rookie. It’s not Kyrie Irving who will say the opposite…
Source texte : The Shop / Uninterrupted
