Despite Kyrie Irving becoming a core figure in the hearts of Dallas Mavericks fans during his year-long tenure, the broader NBA landscape continues to pull him back to his days with the Brooklyn Nets. Regardless, Kyrie, in his return back home, has been rejecting past narratives. However, the same dynamic played post-game, when he faced questions about the breakup with Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Addressing the narrative through its neck, Kyrie asserted that the necessary and challenging conversation never transpired among the three players. Addressing media controversies affecting players, Kyrie then radiated achieving peace, wanting to move on. Furthermore, he then pondered if things could have unfolded differently. After stating KD and his elements, he stated, “If James doesn’t ask for a trade, all the woulda, coulda, shoulda…” before urging an end to the ongoing speculation once and for all.
Kyrie Irving turns the page, he hopes for the last time, from Brooklyn to Dallas. pic.twitter.com/nuxJXfCDkj
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) February 7, 2024
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Throughout the past year, discussions surrounding Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have consistently revolved around their journey with the Nets. However, as Kyrie entered today’s game, he effortlessly moved beyond the storylines that tied him to the franchise. Before the game, he nonchalantly labeled his homecoming as ordinary, in hopes of redirecting the focus toward day-to-day narratives.
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In a moment during the game, Kyrie was observed playfully mocking New York Mayor Eric Adams in response to a fan’s question. Nevertheless, as the game concluded, Irving expressed his desire for the media and fans to leave the past behind and concentrate on the present. According to Irving, he has already embraced the present and wishes others would do the same.
Why did James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant break up?
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In January 2021, the Brooklyn Nets orchestrated a trade to unite James Harden with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, forming what was anticipated to be one of the league’s top contending teams. However, the ensuing years marked one of the most disappointing chapters for the so-called super team.
Initially, Irving’s off-court controversies and personal issues hindered his on-court presence. However, the downward spiral commenced when Kyrie Irving refused to comply with the league’s vaccination mandates, rendering him unavailable for a significant portion of games. As a result, the trio played a mere 16 games together. Frustrated by the inconsistency, James Harden eventually sought a trade.
Subsequently, Kevin Durant also sought an exit, citing the lack of consistency and continuity within the Brooklyn team. In a later interview, Durant expressed, “In Brooklyn? Yeah, it just wasn’t any consistency, no continuity on who we were as a team.” Soon, Kyrie Irving also joined the quest for a fresh start. However, in addition to Irving’s unavailability, the players highlighted internal drama within the franchise as a significant factor contributing to their struggles.
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In less than 2 seasons, James Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Months later, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant found new homes with the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns, respectively.