Despite the tensions created by requesting a trade out of Cleveland, Kyrie Irving says he’s looking forward to reuniting with former teammates LeBron James and Kevin Love at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
Irving and Love were both drafted to James’ team to compete against Steph Curry’s squad under the All-Star game’s new format, despite plenty of speculation that James may pass over Irving following his exit from Cleveland.
“I think you’ve heard it if you’ve talked to championship winners before but, when you’re on a championship team, it’s just a bond that can’t be broken forever,” Irving told reporters on Friday.
“Just going through that, the way we created history…we’re the only team in history to come back from 3-1. And that’s something that will be etched in NBA history for life. And that’s always a connection, something that we can always reminisce about no matter what. It’s an incredible bond that we built as a team, individually being tested at the highest level, and doing something that you can remember for the rest of your life and tell your kids about.”
Kyrie Irving said it'll be "fun" to be reunited with LeBron and Kevin Love at All-Star weekend. Said of championship season: "It's just a bond that can't be broken forever."
📰: https://t.co/VfKO50DqIl pic.twitter.com/g4UL2qn5Vt
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 27, 2018
Since leaving Cleveland, Irving has taken his game to new heights while leading Boston to a conference-topping 35-14 record.
His Celtics also sit well ahead of the third-seeded 27-19 Cavaliers.
But Irving believes all team allegiances will be put aside once All-Star Weekend rolls around.
“All-Star weekend’s just an enjoyable experience,” Irving said. “It’s a time for us as competitors to get together when we’re not necessarily with our teams and going against one another. It’s great to see the two captains choose who they felt were the best fit for their team, and I’m glad that I’m playing with a bunch of great players.”
Meanwhile, Irving has flatly denied a Cleveland.com report which stated if the Cavs didn’t trade Irving this past summer, he would undergo minor knee surgery and sit out the start of the season.
Kyrie Irving on report he threatened knee surgery if Cleveland didn't trade him: "No. No. It's kinda crazy the amount of things that are still coming out. … Just ready to move on. Not true." pic.twitter.com/RKWWnY8LmS
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 26, 2018
Irving requires follow-up surgery to relieve swelling and pain resulting from his broken kneecap in 2015, sources told the website, and his threat to sit out would have come just one year before LeBron James contract was set to expire.
“No…It’s kind of crazy the amount of things that are still coming out, that are still trying to be relevant,” Irving said. “I guess that’s part of being in the NBA, all the media scrutiny and everything that goes with it. Just trying to move on.”