Days After “Selfish Me” Admission, 2-Year-Old Kai Keeps Doting Father Kyrie Irving Busy Despite On-Court Absence in Abu Dhabi

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reigned supreme during the Abu Dhabi games. Riding the back of Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Edwards, they made short work of the Mavericks. However, since these were preseason battles, we didn’t see a complete performance from either team. Starters and elite players sat after the first half and in a typical preseason fashion, the final result means little. Luka Doncic couldn’t crack the Wolves code for now but these games don’t mean much.

While he did play the first game, Doncic’s star teammate Kyrie Irving sat out the second one. But he made his presence felt and also melted many hearts.

Kyrie Irving and his tricky balancing act

Last month, Irving rued not spending time with his children. Due to the endless grind of the NBA, he has to stay away from his children for most parts. Talking to Nick Angstadt and Isaac Harris, he revealed the challenge of balancing the personal with the professional. 

During media day, on their Locked on Mavericks pod, he expressed, ”It almost feels like an impossible task. I think all parents feel the same because we want to be in our kids’ lives. You want to make sure we’re there for all their first steps, all their first accomplishments. You know some of the things that they struggle with, you want to help them out. All that is in the back of my mind, it’s always in my heart.”.

Then he went on about the value of what he does. He went on, ”Then there’s the selfish me of just wanting to accomplish bigger goals and motivate myself and show an exemplary level of leadership for them, so they can strive to be in better places than I’ve ever been.”

READ MORE: Kyrie Irving Infamously Steals the Limelight in Abu Dhabi Despite Luka Doncic’s Masterclass Against Anthony Edwards and Co.

Ruing time away from family, Irving has to eke out little windows to spend time with his children. He did carve out a window after he sat out the second Abu Dhabi game. The visuals with his two-year-old Kai were heart-warming.

Irving and son Kai spend precious moments

Holding Kai in his lap, the incredible scorer was gaining the limelight in the build-up to the Mavs and Wolves tussle. In one of the videos posted by the official Insta handle of the NBA, he sits with him on the courtside seat. In the back, Marc Cuban and other Mavs’ staff are shaking hands with Abu Dabhi’s sheiks.

In another video, Kai is coming through the baseline front seats. His dad has to keep up with him and since he is an infant, his hands are full, taking care of him. However, it is these moments that the Guard craves during his busy hours.

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