Basketball fans in Cleveland are hardcore supporters and believers of loyalty. Perhaps this is just why they booed Kyrie Irving when he came as an opposition player after Christmas Day. Being the team that picked him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft when LeBron James took his talents to the South Beach.
Irving was always considered as ‘savior’ for Cleveland Cavaliers. However, when he moved out of the franchise only to join Boston Celtics for a year, the feel of painful for the Cavs fanbase was strong. Perhaps something they are still holding onto.
When Irving walked inside the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, a feeling of resentment was quick to spread-out. Despite which Irving dropped game-winning 32 points to lead his side to their 9th straight win alongside Kevin Durant.
Kevin Durant, who has truly faced a lot of criticism for his choices over the years, opinionated on just why Kyrie Irving will always be a ‘villain’ for Cavs fanbase. The 3-time NBA Champ went to emphasize on how a franchise and its fans will remember a player walking out on them and disregard his/her hard-fought efforts in fetching their greatest triumph.
Durant said, “One thing about Cleveland fans is they’re never gonna forget how you made them feel. Regardless of him helping them win a championship, the last memory of him was him leaving the town.”
That being said, Irving was mightily important in Cavaliers’ only title in history and the clutch shot he hit (over Stephen Curry) to make it happen. Whether you believe it or not, Kyrie is a Cavaliers legend whether the fans or the organization admits that.
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