Kyrie Irving‘s time with the Cleveland Cavaliers was a roller-coaster of thrilling victories and controversial decisions. He was an instrumental player in the team’s groundbreaking 2016 NBA Championship victory. Yet, his decision to demand a trade in 2017 and his eventual exit left a bittersweet mark on his legacy with the franchise. Recently, the Cavaliers’ current star player, Donovan Mitchell, strongly made a case for retiring Irving’s jersey (number 2), while referring to Kyrie’s role in bringing the championship to Cleveland.

After the showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell in the game conference stated, “He should have his jersey retired for sure…being able to do what he did at the highest level, year after year, to go from not winning to being able to do that and have that impact I think is something that was truly remarkable. Obviously, what he has done in the playoffs in his career and in Cleveland, where he brought the city a championship, I feel like him, K-Love [Kevin Love], and Bron [LeBron James] should all have their jerseys retired. I think he should definitely have it retired.”

During his post-game interview when asked about his jersey retirement, Kyrie remarked, “It would be very meaningful. I haven’t given it much thought. I’m not oblivious to the questions you guys have for Donovan. … I don’t want him to be answering those questions because he’s new here, and he’s just trying to establish his legacy“. Here, Kyrie is referring to the fact that Donovan Mitchell joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in September 2022 and even though comparisons to franchise legends are inevitable, Mitchell’s journey with the Cavs has only recently begun.

Kyrie Irving – a bona fide Cleveland legend

Irving’s iconic three-pointer in the 2016 NBA Finals secured the Cavaliers’ first-ever championship, ending a 52-year title drought for the city. This victory was even more remarkable considering the Golden State Warriors, who had a record-breaking 73 win season, were heavily favored to win the championship after leading 3-1 in the Finals. Kyrie’s three-pointer changed the course of events!

While Mitchell’s contributions will surely shape his Cavaliers legacy, championships hold a different kind of weight. Only LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love have earned the “ring” with the Cavs, making their mark as the franchise’s all-time greats.

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In the showdown of Mavs vs. Cavs, both Mitchell and Irving dished out stellar performances. While teammate Luka Doncic bagged a staggering 45 points, Kyrie came in hot with 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Donovan Mitchell chipped in with 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists leading the Cavaliers to a 121-119 dub.

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Despite being competitors, there’s an apparent sense of mutual love and respect for each other’s skills. While Mitchell advocated for the retirement of Irving’s jersey, Irving tried to shield Donovan from the media’s potential questions, acknowledging still fledgling Cavs career. As much as fans love the intensity and competition of the NBA, these glimpses of camaraderie and sportsmanship are what truly make being an NBA fan special!