That’s the only way to be to the kid! Special talent/guy! Nothing but respect and what a ride it was our 3 years together Young Gode #Filayy https://t.co/wKYmYsmdgG
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 23, 2017
It may have seemed from reports that their relationship was in turmoil but Cleveland Cavaliers’ star LeBron James said he has “nothing but respect” for former teammate Kyrie Irving, who had just been shipped to the Boston Celtics.
James finally spoke about Irving directly shorty after the star guard got his wish to be traded and was sent to the Cavaliers’ Eastern conference rival Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and a 2018 first round pick.
READ: On Basketball: Kyrie gets a new address, but Cavs win trade
The four-time NBA MVP reacted to a video posted by Twitter user @tony_hartmann, who instead of burning Irving’s jersey—like what other fans had done in the past when players jump ship—left a note thanking the four-time NBA All-star for his years with the Cavaliers.
“That’s the only way to be to the kid! Special talent/guy! Nothing but respect and what a ride it was our 3 years together Young Gode #Filayy,” James said in the tweet.
Kyrie Irving #2 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after a play in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP
Contrary to the past few weeks since the news broke that Irving wanted out of Cleveland, James and Irving’s partnership didn’t seem in disarray on the surface in the three years since James returned to his hometown.
Together, they steered the Cavaliers to three straight finals appearances–all against the Golden State Warriors—and helped the city of Cleveland put an end to more than five decades of championship drought in major league sports.
READ: Cavs star Kyrie Irving reportedly requests trade
But after the loss to the Warriors last July in the finals, Irving reportedly wanted to play out of James’ shadow and requested for a trade.