Throughout his NBA career, Kyrie Irving has been considered one of the game’s best talents and arguably its greatest ball-handler ever.
His production and individual accomplishments speak for themselves, as he has career averages of 23.4 points on 47.2 percent overall shooting and 39.1 percent from 3-point range and 5.7 assists a game.
But he has also been branded as an enigmatic rebel who is more focused on individual goals, both on and off the court, than he is on the good of his team.
Irving recently signed a new contract to remain with the Dallas Mavericks after being traded there in February, and he made a statement about leading his team, per NBACentral.
Kyrie Irving aims to step up as a leader for the Dallas Mavericks
“For me, the accolades, success and the businesses are incredible but I’m here to lead these guys in a different way they haven’t been led before.”
(h/t @sixfivelando) pic.twitter.com/RkuAyILRLw
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 17, 2023
Fans are largely skeptical that he really means what he said.
He’s been the complete opposite of a leader for the last 3 teams he’s played for. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks 🤷♂️
— There go the Jays (@JaysMVPszn) October 17, 2023
Stepping up as leader starts with playing actual games!
— Anansi Stocks (@AnansiStocks) October 17, 2023
Heard this before
— BetOpenly.com (@BetOpenly) October 17, 2023
Some fans actually pointed the finger at Luka Doncic, Irving’s co-star in Dallas.
Doncic has been accused by some of not keeping himself in great shape, and if Irving steps up and shows leadership, perhaps that will change.
Irving won an NBA championship with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, and it looked like perhaps the two would be together for a while, but he demanded a trade just a year later.
He was sent to the Boston Celtics, a team he left in 2019 after two years of not fitting in or making a good impression on his teammates.
Irving teamed up with Kevin Durant on the Brooklyn Nets after departing Boston, but the Nets never reached the Eastern Conference Finals with him, and he again requested a trade, which led to him relocating to Dallas.
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Jamal Crawford Makes All-Time Great Claim On Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving Duo