NBA: Irving bares heartfelt words for LeBron after finals defeat

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) trades high-five’s with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2). (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

The sting of losing the 2017 NBA Finals remains fresh in the hearts and minds of the entire Cleveland Cavaliers organization, but perhaps more so on the team’s back bone and leader LeBron James.

Despite the avalanche of criticism that will surely come for the Ohio-native in the coming days, his point guard had nothing but kind words for “The King.”

Speaking to Sports Illustrated‘s Ben Golliver shortly after the game 5 loss, Kyrie Irving poured his heart out and commended James for inspiring himself and his teammates day in and day out.

Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving with an amazing tribute to LeBron James pic.twitter.com/XXZan1lwHE

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) June 13, 2017

“As a student of the game, it would be a disservice if I didn’t try to learn as much as possible while I’m playing with this guy,” Irving described the perennial All-Star.

“Every single day, demanding more out of himself, demanding more out of us, the true testament of a consummate professional,” he added.

Irving also lauded James for showing him what it takes to be successful in the league and his aspirations to become the same kind of person on and off the court.

“You can’t skip any steps, and that was one thing that I came to understand,” he described James’ teachings. “Whether you want to believe in him or not, he’s still coming. And that’s the type of guy that I want to be with every single time I’m going to war, because I know what to expect.”

The crafty playmaker out of Duke said he intends to continue playing alongside LeBron to reach his full potential.

“You move to the front line with a guy like that, and you want to bring your game up to another level,” he said.”That’s what I’m going to continue to do, because I know that if we continue to be with one another and keep utilizing one another, man, the sky’s the limit.”

He also praised James for seemingly carrying the whole team on his broad shoulders throughout the playoffs and for accomplishing such super human feats.

“I couldn’t be more proud of that guy. He left it all out there on the floor,” Irving stressed. “And to average a triple-double in the freaking Finals, man, add that to the LeBron long list that everyone keeps forgetting.” Khristian Ibarrola/JB

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