Kyrie Irving is one of the few stars of the NBA who has not been on the level that is expected of him. He has been struggling with injuries and has only partnered up with Kevin Durant for mere 39 times in 224 or so games over the span of three seasons and only three times this year. This is only 17% of playing time for both the stars. But this was before Tuesday night.
Kyrie Irving showed his class against the Charlotte Hornets dropping a season-high game.?
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He bossed the Hornets with 50 points and 6 assists in a 132-121 win. The former Cavs player scored 50 points with only 19 shots and made it look too easy. Kyrie became the only guard in the NBA to score 50 points with a 75% or more scoring rate from the field. This was one of the most effective performances in any of the NBA seasons.?
WATCH: Iconic moments when teams should have retired jerseys featuring Kyrie Irving and more.
After dropping an absolute masterclass, he answered some questions about former teammate and soon-to-be rival on court, James Harden.
Kyrie Irving opens up about James Harden debacle
Ahead of their clash on Thursday, Irving gave his best to James Harden and his career choices, with one reason for the eventual rift.
Kyrie on Harden: "Everybody has their own visions starting off their careers and ending their careers. If that's what James wanted then I respect his decision and that's just what it is. I wish him nothing but peace and love. We have a great friendship, but it didn't work out."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) March 9, 2022
"I wish things could have been communicated better for all of us as men, but hey, no hard feelings here with me or anyone else."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) March 9, 2022
This was a clear indication that even though James Harden chose to leave the Nets to join the 76ers, it would have been okay for Kyrie Irving if Harden had just communicated better. He said that there are no hard feelings, but there was a sense of disappointment in Kyrie?s words. Despite being good friends, it did not work out for them in the end and the reason, according to Kyrie, was simply bad communication.
Make what you will of Kyrie?s words because it makes sense to have some unresolved feelings between the entities involved. But like Kyrie said, ?No hard feelings here with me or anyone else.?
Kyrie earlier had stated that he respected Harden?s decision and said everyone should.
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“I’m not here to judge him, I’m not here to talk down on James… I just want him to be happy, I just want everyone in this league to be happy,” Kyrie said. “One thing that’s never talked about in our industry, you never really know what people are going through, and you have to respect their decisions,” Kyrie added.?
It will be an exciting clash between old teammates and friends when the Brooklyn Nets play at Philadelphia 76ers. The game will have added spice because of the trade exchange of Ben Simmons and James Harden.?
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ALSO READ: Doc Rivers talks about Ben Simmons and his return to Philadelphia with the Nets.
After the commanding performance from Kyrie, Harden would be sure to help Joel Embiid and the 76ers know how dangerous Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant can be. An exhilarating contest awaits!