Kevin Love on if Cavs should retire Kyrie Irving's jersey: "Without a doubt, absolutely, right away, after his career ends"
Love — the last remaining piece of that historic 2016 title team — believes Irving left an indelible mark on the franchise and should one day have his jersey hanging from the rafters alongside the other legends. “Without a doubt. Absolutely. Right away, after his career ends,” Love told cleveland.com when asked after the 125-117 Cavs loss. “It’s not even a question to me. He needs to be up there. He made the biggest shot in franchise history and one of the most important shots in Finals history when you consider how it all went down — what it meant for the city, what it meant for his legacy, LeBron’s legacy and everything else, including that Golden State team that became a dynasty and was historically great.”
Source: Chris Fedor @ Cleveland Plain Dealer
Source: Chris Fedor @ Cleveland Plain Dealer
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Erik Slater @erikslater_
You wanna talk about a beautiful halfcourt set?
Horns entry
Chicago action for KD picket fence screen for Kyrie
The Nets are executing at an extremely high level during this stretch. pic.twitter.com/a1HqDjKvnS – 11:02 AM
You wanna talk about a beautiful halfcourt set?
Horns entry
Chicago action for KD picket fence screen for KyrieThe Nets are executing at an extremely high level during this stretch. pic.twitter.com/a1HqDjKvnS – 11:02 AM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Kevin Love has seen it all with Kyrie Irving. The highs. The lows. The good. The bad. Even though Irving’s Cleveland tenure came to an unceremonious end, Love believes Irving’s jersey should be retired and doesn’t understand the boos.
cleveland.com/cavs/2022/12/k… – 8:54 AM
#Cavs Kevin Love has seen it all with Kyrie Irving. The highs. The lows. The good. The bad. Even though Irving’s Cleveland tenure came to an unceremonious end, Love believes Irving’s jersey should be retired and doesn’t understand the boos.
cleveland.com/cavs/2022/12/k… – 8:54 AM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
“Seen that before”
Former #Cavs star Kyrie Irving silences a crowd that greeted him with mostly boos Monday night, leading the Nets to a dominant win over Cleveland.
cleveland.com/cavs/2022/12/k… – 11:34 PM
“Seen that before”
Former #Cavs star Kyrie Irving silences a crowd that greeted him with mostly boos Monday night, leading the Nets to a dominant win over Cleveland.
cleveland.com/cavs/2022/12/k… – 11:34 PM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Kyrie Irving discussed what memories come to mind when he returns to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. He talked about coming in after LeBron James left and filling shoes that weren’t meant for him, winning a title, criticisms after he left, and more. Full quote below. pic.twitter.com/3zxt4sG1XJ – 11:06 PM
Kyrie Irving discussed what memories come to mind when he returns to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. He talked about coming in after LeBron James left and filling shoes that weren’t meant for him, winning a title, criticisms after he left, and more. Full quote below. pic.twitter.com/3zxt4sG1XJ – 11:06 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Cavs with multiple games with 45+ points and 5+ threes:
— Darius Garland
— LeBron James
— Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/unLffI5CDB – 10:39 PM
Cavs with multiple games with 45+ points and 5+ threes:
— Darius Garland
— LeBron James
— Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/unLffI5CDB – 10:39 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Kyrie scored 11 points on 4/4 shooting in the final 3 minutes of the 1st half.
He had two insane scoring stretches during this game to give Brooklyn their largest leads of the night. pic.twitter.com/J8n6xwUJVz – 10:19 PM
Kyrie scored 11 points on 4/4 shooting in the final 3 minutes of the 1st half.
He had two insane scoring stretches during this game to give Brooklyn their largest leads of the night. pic.twitter.com/J8n6xwUJVz – 10:19 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Vaughn took over the #Nets as interim on Nov. 1. Kyrie Irving got suspended two days later and at shootaround the next morning Vaughn stood up before the team and beseeched them to make it basketball first. They’re 20-6 since then. #NBA – 9:54 PM
Vaughn took over the #Nets as interim on Nov. 1. Kyrie Irving got suspended two days later and at shootaround the next morning Vaughn stood up before the team and beseeched them to make it basketball first. They’re 20-6 since then. #NBA – 9:54 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Final: Nets 125, Cavaliers 117
Irving: 32 pts, 11/19 shooting
Durant: 32 pts, 10/18 shooting
Warren: 23 pts, 9/14 shooting
Gutsy win over a red-hot Cavs team. KD and Kyrie combine for 12/19 from three.
9-game win streak for the Nets. The longest in the league this season. – 9:34 PM
Final: Nets 125, Cavaliers 117
Irving: 32 pts, 11/19 shooting
Durant: 32 pts, 10/18 shooting
Warren: 23 pts, 9/14 shooting
Gutsy win over a red-hot Cavs team. KD and Kyrie combine for 12/19 from three.
9-game win streak for the Nets. The longest in the league this season. – 9:34 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Nets beat the Cavs 125-117 to extend the win streak to nine games. KD, Kyrie Irving and T.J. Warren all played well. Nic Claxton with another big block. Team now heads to Atlanta then Charlotte, both very favorable. – 9:34 PM
Nets beat the Cavs 125-117 to extend the win streak to nine games. KD, Kyrie Irving and T.J. Warren all played well. Nic Claxton with another big block. Team now heads to Atlanta then Charlotte, both very favorable. – 9:34 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Kyrie tonight:
32 PTS
11-19 FG
7-11 3P
Nets have won 9 in a row. pic.twitter.com/jxhtuxW8zB – 9:32 PM
Kyrie tonight:
32 PTS
11-19 FG
7-11 3P
Nets have won 9 in a row. pic.twitter.com/jxhtuxW8zB – 9:32 PM
Bob Finnan @BobCavsinsider
Final: Brooklyn 125, Cavs 117. Darius Garland led all scorers with 46 points. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving each had 32 points for Nets. – 9:32 PM
Final: Brooklyn 125, Cavs 117. Darius Garland led all scorers with 46 points. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving each had 32 points for Nets. – 9:32 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Kyrie and KD guide the Nets to their NINTH straight win 📈 pic.twitter.com/LqkaX2V733 – 9:32 PM
Kyrie and KD guide the Nets to their NINTH straight win 📈 pic.twitter.com/LqkaX2V733 – 9:32 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
The Nets hold on at the end to close out an impressive 125-117 road win over the Cavs. KD and Kyrie each finish with 32 points.
The Nets have won nine straight games. – 9:32 PM
The Nets hold on at the end to close out an impressive 125-117 road win over the Cavs. KD and Kyrie each finish with 32 points.
The Nets have won nine straight games. – 9:32 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
#Cavs drop this one to the Nets 125-117. Darius Garland finishes with 46, but it’s not enough to overcome KD and Kyrie combining for 64 points on 56.7% shooting. Nets also made 60% of their 3-point attempts. Cavs finish homestand at 4-2 and now drop to fourth in the East. – 9:31 PM
#Cavs drop this one to the Nets 125-117. Darius Garland finishes with 46, but it’s not enough to overcome KD and Kyrie combining for 64 points on 56.7% shooting. Nets also made 60% of their 3-point attempts. Cavs finish homestand at 4-2 and now drop to fourth in the East. – 9:31 PM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Kyrie the absolute master of dribble navigating through high-stress full-court presses and double-team traps while trying to run out the clock. Makes that shit look so much easier than it is. – 9:29 PM
Kyrie the absolute master of dribble navigating through high-stress full-court presses and double-team traps while trying to run out the clock. Makes that shit look so much easier than it is. – 9:29 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
#Cavs are down six with the ball after a Kyrie Irving traveling violation. 51.3 remaining in regulation. Timeout. – 9:23 PM
#Cavs are down six with the ball after a Kyrie Irving traveling violation. 51.3 remaining in regulation. Timeout. – 9:23 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
Kyrie just splashed one in from Berea. Scored eight in the last minute. Nets up 19 in Cleveland with 10 minutes left; about to win their ninth straight. Brooklyn has found its groove. – 8:55 PM
Kyrie just splashed one in from Berea. Scored eight in the last minute. Nets up 19 in Cleveland with 10 minutes left; about to win their ninth straight. Brooklyn has found its groove. – 8:55 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Kyrie Irving has knocked down a season-high 6 three-pointers tonight.
On 9 attempts. – 8:54 PM
Kyrie Irving has knocked down a season-high 6 three-pointers tonight.
On 9 attempts. – 8:54 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kyrie Irving just went on his second scoring barrage of the night. He’s got 25 points after scoring Brooklyn’s last 8. Timeout, Cleveland. This one is over unless the Cavs go on a run.
Q4 10:13
BKN 102, CLE 83 – 8:54 PM
Kyrie Irving just went on his second scoring barrage of the night. He’s got 25 points after scoring Brooklyn’s last 8. Timeout, Cleveland. This one is over unless the Cavs go on a run.
Q4 10:13
BKN 102, CLE 83 – 8:54 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Kyrie coming down the floor knocking down shots from all over now. He’s up to 25. So is KD. The Nets are up 19 on the Cavs and on the verge of completing their most dominant — and impressive — win of the year. – 8:53 PM
Kyrie coming down the floor knocking down shots from all over now. He’s up to 25. So is KD. The Nets are up 19 on the Cavs and on the verge of completing their most dominant — and impressive — win of the year. – 8:53 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
Kyrie Irving just hit his sixth 3-pointer of the night and the #Cavs are down 102-83 with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter. Really rough night for Cleveland. – 8:52 PM
Kyrie Irving just hit his sixth 3-pointer of the night and the #Cavs are down 102-83 with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter. Really rough night for Cleveland. – 8:52 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
One of Kyrie’s baskets has been changed from a 2-pointer to a 3-pointer, so now the #Cavs are down 65-49 to start the second half.
Oh, and Kyrie just hit another 3-pointer. – 8:20 PM
One of Kyrie’s baskets has been changed from a 2-pointer to a 3-pointer, so now the #Cavs are down 65-49 to start the second half.
Oh, and Kyrie just hit another 3-pointer. – 8:20 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
That was vintage Kyrie to finish the second quarter. He had done NOTHING all game. And then just ERUPTED, scoring 11 of Brooklyn’s 20 points over the final 3:53 to finish the quarter. – 8:05 PM
That was vintage Kyrie to finish the second quarter. He had done NOTHING all game. And then just ERUPTED, scoring 11 of Brooklyn’s 20 points over the final 3:53 to finish the quarter. – 8:05 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Kyrie knocked down several triples to close the second and silence the crowd. He’s got 13 at the half. The Nets are up 15. They’ve already got 17 assists and got 19 points from the bench. – 8:03 PM
Kyrie knocked down several triples to close the second and silence the crowd. He’s got 13 at the half. The Nets are up 15. They’ve already got 17 assists and got 19 points from the bench. – 8:03 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kyrie Irving has exploded here in the second quarter. He had one made field goal in the first. Now he’s got 13 points in 3/4 shooting from downtown. Nets enter halftime up 15 over the Cavs. – 8:02 PM
Kyrie Irving has exploded here in the second quarter. He had one made field goal in the first. Now he’s got 13 points in 3/4 shooting from downtown. Nets enter halftime up 15 over the Cavs. – 8:02 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
The Cavaliers have erased Brooklyn’s 13-point lead and trail the Nets, 44-43, on Darius Garland’s pull-up 3. Nic Claxton and Jarrett Allen are going at it. Kevin Durant is rolling but Kyrie Irving has yet to get going. Garland has 18. Second half is about to be elite. – 7:56 PM
The Cavaliers have erased Brooklyn’s 13-point lead and trail the Nets, 44-43, on Darius Garland’s pull-up 3. Nic Claxton and Jarrett Allen are going at it. Kevin Durant is rolling but Kyrie Irving has yet to get going. Garland has 18. Second half is about to be elite. – 7:56 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
There were *some* cheers during pregame intros. But those were mostly drowned out by the boos for former #Cavs great Kyrie Irving. – 7:08 PM
There were *some* cheers during pregame intros. But those were mostly drowned out by the boos for former #Cavs great Kyrie Irving. – 7:08 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
Kyrie Irving received a mixture of applause and boos when he was introduced tonight at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. – 7:05 PM
Kyrie Irving received a mixture of applause and boos when he was introduced tonight at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. – 7:05 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
The #Nets‘ starters for tonight’s game at the #Cavs: Simmons, Irving, Durant, O’Neale and Claxton. #NBA – 6:31 PM
The #Nets‘ starters for tonight’s game at the #Cavs: Simmons, Irving, Durant, O’Neale and Claxton. #NBA – 6:31 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Nets Starters for tonight’s game at Cleveland:
Simmons, Irving, Durant, O’Neale and Claxton – 6:30 PM
Nets Starters for tonight’s game at Cleveland:
Simmons, Irving, Durant, O’Neale and Claxton – 6:30 PM
NBA Math @NBA_Math
East All-Stars, per RPR MVP Predictor:
STARTERS
Donovan Mitchell
Jaylen Brown
Joel Embiid
Kevin Durant
Jayson Tatum
BENCH
DeMar DeRozan
Trae Young
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Pascal Siakam
Julius Randle
Tyrese Haliburton
Darius Garland
ALTERNATE
Brunson, Porzingis, Irving pic.twitter.com/pL5L903yIM – 1:22 PM
East All-Stars, per RPR MVP Predictor:
STARTERS
Donovan Mitchell
Jaylen Brown
Joel Embiid
Kevin Durant
Jayson Tatum
BENCH
DeMar DeRozan
Trae Young
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Pascal Siakam
Julius Randle
Tyrese Haliburton
Darius Garland
ALTERNATE
Brunson, Porzingis, Irving pic.twitter.com/pL5L903yIM – 1:22 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Just like in an earlier game this year against Cleveland and Kevin Love, Julius Randle’s inability to switch onto the ballhandler in pick-and-pop is leading to all you can eat for Georges Niang. – 2:11 PM
Just like in an earlier game this year against Cleveland and Kevin Love, Julius Randle’s inability to switch onto the ballhandler in pick-and-pop is leading to all you can eat for Georges Niang. – 2:11 PM
More on this storyline
“I don’t really understand the boos,” Love told cleveland.com. “I can understand it from I guess if someone wants to take it from a political standpoint or a religious standpoint. I don’t know. But I think in terms of Kyrie, the basketball player, and what he meant for the organization, for Cleveland, for Ohio, I think he should get a great applause every time he comes. I think enough time has passed that we should love him up for what he meant to this organization.” -via Cleveland Plain Dealer / December 27, 2022
Paul George: The first NBA players I heard speak about their personal battles with mental health were Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan. It caught me by surprise with DeMar, whom I played basketball with in high school and who’s a good friend of mine. Listening to his struggles made me realize that you should never assume you know what people are going through or what struggles people may be having, and that it’s OK to be open when you need help – that the worst thing to do is to ignore or suppress one’s mental health. Everyone has the stress of day-to-day stuff. For athletes, there is an expectation to perform at a very high level and to entertain in front of millions of fans, and usually while not being 100% healthy. That stress can get to you, and it can break you sometimes in clutch moments. But that’s where you have to get that mental toughness and learn that mental toughness. -via USA Today Sports / December 22, 2022
Sources tell cleveland.com that Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Love — both of whom were listed as questionable — will return to the lineup for Monday night’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. -via Cleveland Plain Dealer / December 12, 2022
HoopsHype: Kyrie Irving on returning to Cleveland: “The amount of pressure I was putting on myself coming in after the prodigal son, LeBron James, leaves, and I had to take on the ropes after that. Who knows if I was ever going to live up to that billing. But I put that pressure on myself.” pic.twitter.com/ytnF3Ca1ci -via Twitter @hoopshype / December 27, 2022
Erik Slater: Kyrie when asked about Brooklyn’s mindset during recent success: “Any external negativity or praise, I really don’t care about it. I think I’m just focused on being the best version of me and just letting the results play out based on how well we trust each other as a group.” -via Twitter @erikslater_ / December 27, 2022