Former NBA Champion Explains Why Kyrie Irving Needs to Win a Title Without LeBron James

Published 11/03/2021, 11:14 PM EDT

This season, Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving has made it to the headlines on more occasions than one, and it’s not all for his skills on the court. Kyrie’s personality is such that he always takes a stand for his beliefs, no matter how wild they might seem to others. From his opinion on the earth being flat to his viewpoint on vaccination, his stands have received a lot of scrutiny.

Most people even conclude that Kyrie did not make it to the NBA’s top 75 list because of all these things. However, former Laker Metta World Peace thinks it has something to do with LeBron James.

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Kyrie Irving without LeBron James, not as great?

In celebration of its 75th anniversary, the NBA came out with a top 75 list of players of all time. There were some very obvious names on it, but a lot of people were taken aback when certain obvious ones were not part of it. This included Kyrie Irving, as well. But contrary to popular opinion, some fans and critics listed out other probable reasons why he wasn’t a part of it. And 1x NBA Champion Metta World Peace also seems to have one of his own.

On Chris Haynes’ ‘Posted Up’, the 41-YO discussed the list and why Irving wasn’t a part of it. “Kyrie’s good,” Ron Artest started off. “But when you look at that list, everybody deserves to make that list. I think Kyrie needs to win a title without LeBron. Although he is one of the most talented players we ever saw, a lot of people are really talented. But it’s a gift and a curse, you just never know it.”

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There is no arguing with the list

Basketball is a sport that evokes a passion that leads to debates and discussions. And this list of top players of all time has become a part of the NBA’s tradition on anniversaries. So, there is no way to change/update what has already been released.

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It is stuff like this that helps fans get involved in the analysis of players and come up with their own opinions. There is a zero probability that everyone would come to a consensus on such a vast topic, just like the GOAT debate. So, NBA Champion and 7x All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving’s exclusion from the list will always be subjective. But of course, hearing all these reasons only makes the topic more intriguing.

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Yashima Bhatia is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports who specialises in providing nuanced predictions and updates for matches. She has a Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. Yashima's love for playing the game came up at a young age, when the excitement of the games coupled with the intensity of the Playoffs had her hooked.

Former NBA Champion Explains Why Kyrie Irving Needs to Win a Title Without LeBron James

Kyrie Irving without LeBron James, not as great?

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There is no arguing with the list