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Kyrie Irving, Celtics antagonist
On the airwaves of sports-talk radio and within the posts of social media, Kemba Walker and Kyrie Irving are linked as a result of every has held the identical place: All-Star level guard and locker room chief for the Celtics.
However Walker and Irving have a historical past going again additional and in an Instagram Dwell chat on Monday, Irving detailed that he wish to get right into a one-on-one showdown with Walker, as the 2 had executed after they have been children.
“Me and Ok-Stroll, I would like that matchup,” Irving stated on the video. “I would like Ok-Stroll. Me and Ok-Stroll, I’ve to, we now have to. Me and Ok-Stroll, that’s my matchup. I would like Ok-Stroll. That’s my huge bro. I would like Ok-Stroll, bro. That’s my huge bro, you understand we bought mutual respect, however I do know all people needs to see it — out of New York, New Jersey. Each time we play in opposition to one another it’s all the time a recreation. He gave us 40, I gave him 40. Again-and-forth, that’s a part of simply the place we grew up. You realize I would like that Bronx s—, too.”
Irving went to St. Patrick College in Elizabeth, N.J., and was within the Class of 2010. Walker, who’s from the Bronx, went to Rice Excessive in Harlem, about 20 miles from Irving’s college. He was within the Class of 2008.
Kyrie Irving Bolted Boston in Free Company
Irving created a stir across the NBA final summer season when he determined to skip out on the Celtics as a free agent. In October 2018, simply earlier than the season began, Irving had stated he would stay in Boston. “In case you guys may have me again, I plan on re-signing right here,” he advised a bunch of followers on the TD Backyard.
The quote was heralded by the official Celtics Twitter account:
“In case you guys may have me again, I plan on re-signing right here.” – @KyrieIrving pic.twitter.com/0wDLzuv5WL
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 4, 2018
That was earlier than an particularly tough yr through which the Celtics vastly underachieved. Anticipated to be a championship contender, Boston as an alternative was ousted with out a lot of a battle within the second spherical of the playoffs. Irving took a lot of the blame—he appeared to have divided the locker room, alienating the crew’s youthful gamers—which arrange his departure for the Nets in the summertime of 2019.
However Walker, a free agent in Charlotte, crammed the void, signing a four-year, $164 million contract with Boston. Walker has not been the lightning rod for controversy that Irving was, and averaged 21.2 factors with 4.9 assists.
Irving struggled with a shoulder harm in Brooklyn and performed solely 20 video games. He averaged 27.zero factors however the crew went simply 8-12 with him wholesome. He additionally introduced drama to the Nets, reportedly one of many causes coach Kenny Atkinson was fired.
Walker has Averted Kyrie Irving Speak
Walker fought off any Kyrie vs. Kemba chatter early this season, saying he hoped Celtics followers might “transfer previous” Irving’s resolution to go away.
“I do know there’s been some stuff between the (Celtics) followers and him,” Walker advised reporters. “Hopefully that may be over, and (everybody can) simply transfer previous it. It’s over. He’s right here in Brooklyn and I’m right here now in Boston.”
Of their careers, Walker and Irving have met 22 occasions, with Irving successful 15 of the video games and averaging 22.2 factors, with Walker averaging 19.7 factors.
Irving did high 40 factors on Walker as soon as, in 2014, when he was enjoying for Cleveland. Walker had 43 in a recreation in opposition to Irving in November 2018, when Walker was with Charlotte and Irving was a Celtic. Of their final recreation, in March 2019, Walker had 36 factors and Irving had 31.
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