Kyrie Irving wants to make things clear: he and Kevin Durant don’t have a grudge against each other. Durant recently said some things on the Mind the Game podcast.
The Houston Rockets forward talked about their time with the Brooklyn Nets and suggested that not everyone was fully committed.
The Dallas Mavericks guard responded to those statements. In response, Irving said on a Twitch livestream on Tuesday that he doesn’t have a grudge against Durant or former Nets head coach Steve Nash. “Being mean to KD is not true.” I have nothing against Steve Nash.
I have nothing against anyone, you guys. All right?” Irving told him. “This has nothing to do with KD personally, and I appreciate that he tweeted back at me and said he was going to have the noti’s on.
Thank you for your interest. You know what I mean? I just want to tell KD I love him.
Kyrie Irving Reflects on Kevin Durant and “7-11” Era
Irving stressed that he’s not interested in drama or back-and-forth, and made it clear his intent has always been to keep things respectful, regardless of how things unfolded in Brooklyn.
“At that moment, I’m not sure what he was thinking, but at the same time I would never, ever broadcast anything crazy,” he said. “There’s so much that happened while we were in Brooklyn.
There is so much spun narratives after we left Brooklyn. It wasn’t perfect, but I can honestly say I took a chance on winning a championship with my best friend. We had an incredible time.”
Irving acknowledged his shortcomings during his tenure with the Nets and admitted that his personal struggles may have affected the team.
“I can honestly take accountability for my actions and say that I wasn’t always in the best space mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally,” he said. “So, I take my accountability and I’m sorry to any of those out there that it impacted negatively.”
The Irving-Durant partnership, dubbed “7-11” by fans, began with massive expectations in 2019 when the two signed with Brooklyn as free agents.
Injuries, off-court complications, and the brief but volatile addition of James Harden derailed any hopes of a championship.
Still, Irving spoke glowingly about the basketball chemistry he shared with Durant.
“I came to Brooklyn thinking that we were going to have a totally different time, and it went one way and it went a whole ’nother way, and it got crazy. I’m not going to lie to you,” Irving said. “But I will say this — the 7-11 duo of me and KD will never be topped in terms of just being on the court with somebody that special. So, let me get that disclaimer out… I’ve played with a lot of great players, but playing with KD, that was OD. He’s one of the best of all time.
“Obviously, we all have our strengths and weaknesses… I’m doing my thing. He’s doing his thing. Let’s leave it there.”
Kevin Durant Showed Support for Kyrie Irving
Durant, on the other hand, has continued to back Irving.
He expressed his hope for the rehabilitation of his former teammate following a season-ending injury, as reported by DallasHoopsJournal.com, during a March victory in Dallas. Durant told DallasHoopsJournal.com, “I’m thinking about him, man.
That’s one of my boys.” “I hope he recovers easily and returns to normal life without any complications.” Durant was effusive in his praise of the present Mavericks team, highlighting its potential defensively, athleticism, and size, particularly under Irving’s leadership. “It would be an amazing squad,” Durant told DallasHoopsJournal.com. Size, speed, agility, defense, a leader like Kyrie Irving, and a city like Dallas that backs you—those are all good things about this team. Going to be a blast.
The former teammates may be heading for a high-stakes reunion, what with Irving now coaching a revamped Mavericks team with Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, and Durant starring on a loaded Rockets squad.
Off the court, though, there’s no arguing, only mutual regard.
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