A former Duke basketball guard’s strategy differs from that of his co-star.
One would need a significant supply of incense and lava lamps before fully digesting any Kyrie Irving conservation, whether it be about his play on the court, his distrust of media, or his appetite for conspiracy theories. Yet even clearheaded folks should enjoy a minute or two at a time of the out-there rants from the 2010-11 Duke basketball one-and-done.
After all, at least Irving is far from boring, for he rarely utters typical pro-athlete clichés.
Now, the 28-year-old, who is entering his second campaign with the Brooklyn Nets after averaging a career-high 27.4 points last season, hasn’t yet lifted his self-imposed interview ban.
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But Irving did put on his deep-thinking cap in discussing hoops and human existence — including a reincarnation reference — when he welcomed teammate Kevin Durant for their enlightening Instagram Live chat on Saturday night (full video below).
Will the Duke basketball product attempt to harness his inner Kevin Durant?
The 32-year-old Durant, who is returning from a torn Achilles tendon that he suffered in the 2019 NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors before landing in Brooklyn as a free agent, is set to make his long-awaited Nets debut. He’ll be alongside Irving at 6 p.m. Sunday when the team begins its preseason slate by hosting the Washington Wizards.
In anticipation of their first outing together, Irving and Durant offered one particularly entertaining exchange about their upcoming roles.
Although the six-time All-Star point guard and 10-time All-Star stretch-forward appeared to maintain a giggly atmosphere throughout their makeshift Q & A, they obviously didn’t see eye to eye as soon as Durant began jokingly punishing Irving for his lack of media availability this preseason by questioning his presumptuous post-up plans:
Durant: “You told me, once we decided to play for the Nets, that you needed eight post-ups per night — four each half. I think that’s too much for a 6-1 point guard. I mean, I think that might hold up our offense. But I wonder why you’ve decided to play more of a big than your normal position?”
Irving: “Honestly, I feel like my soul tells me I’m 6-11, I’m 7-feet, I’m you…I’m able to shoot over people…I want to be more of a post-up guard. That’s really my game: Mark Jackson-type backdowns and back you down from halfcourt…”
Durant: “Yo, you’re not backing anybody down from half. Stop…”
Irving: “Just show a little more respect on the show for the actual host…I just want to be able to communicate with you about how I feel as a post-up guard. In my past life, like I said, I was you. I was you. I was you. What you are on now, that’s what I am up here. Same mentality. I’m getting to a spot. I’m raising up. I’m getting to a bucket. My footwork is impeccable. I have length…”
Long story short, Durant recalled that they had already come to an agreement for Irving to limit himself to 2.5 post-ups per game. The half post-up, in Durant’s mind, represents a time when a posted-up Irving catches a pass from the 2013-14 NBA Most Valuable Player, only to toss it right back out to him on the perimeter.
However, the present-day Durant and the past-life Durant mutually decided to leave the door open for future negotiations about the most beneficial way for them to coexist.
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more on Kyrie Irving plus other news and views regarding Duke basketball players in the NBA.