Article by Antwon “Smitty” Smith
Kyrie Irving is coming up on one of the most important moments in his NBA career, and contrary to what fans believe, his landing spot could determine how great his legacy will be as an NBA player. Sometimes it’s the players you have around you that could put you on a different tier from other NBA Greats. Scottie Pippen had Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant played alongside Shaq and even Kareem played with Oscar Robertson and won a title.
If Kyrie is to add to his legacy as a player, it’s time he team up with his former Cavs team Lebron James on the west coast. The two had a rocky relationship towards the end of their run in Cleveland due to a clash of egos. The situation caused Irving to find a way out of Cleveland, ending his run with the team that took him 1st overall in 2011.
The two mended their relationship over the course of two seasons, but will it ever be the same as it was during their championship run of 2016. This run was also the start of their problems as teammates. The two made history coming back from a 3-1 deficit to bring the Cavs their first world title in the franchise’s history. However, there were a lot of questions following the win, such as did Lebron deserve MVP? Should Kyrie have won MVP? Can Kyrie and Lebron coexist as teammates? Well the NBA got their answer as Kyrie was shipped to Boston as part of a deal to bring Isiah Thomas to the Cavs. The trade seemed to work better for the Celtics until they ran into Lebron and the Cavs. It seemed Kyrie got his wish to be “the man” but he was not a Batman. Irving would be more of A Robin type, a superstar sidekick who would complement a player such as a LeBron James.
Irving averaged 27 points per game, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in the 2016 NBA Finals, a great second fiddle to James (29.7 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 8.9 apg).
The duo puts you in the same mind frame of Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal with Orlando in the early-mid 90’s. They could run the floor with great coordination and complemented each other well. Their pairing could start the Lakers resurgence. They have good young pieces and a 4th overall pick to give them a player to develop under there winning pedigree.
Irving is rumored to have a handful of suitors in free agency, but will he put them on the back burners to rejoin his big brother in Los Angeles? Stay tuned because showtime may return sooner all think!
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