As NBA players take over social media during the pandemic, fans of the game are getting to know their favorite ballers up close. Following the trend, Kyrie Irving [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/kyrie-irving/] went live on Instagram recently. He traveled down memory lane with stories about his playing days, and narrated a tale involving none other than Kobe Bryant. YOUNG KYRIE IRVING CHALLENGES KOBE BRYANT Kyrie Irving [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Kyrie-Irving-Kobe-Bryant.png] Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving went live on Instagram recently with a certain Jerry Green for an informal interview. He revealed his feelings from when he shot one of the biggest winning shots in NBA history. Further, the player also revealed his favorite memory with Kobe Bryant [https://stats.nba.com/player/977/]. The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Kyrie Irving in 2011. He won the 2011-12 NBA Rookie of the Year. Him winning the award led Irving to a confident, yet dangerous path. The player thought it would be a smart move to challenge one of the greatest players of all time, Kobe Bryant. He asked the legend to meet him for a one-on-one showdown, with the winner getting $50,000 for a charity of their choice. One might call the move ignorant, considering Irving was a rookie and lacked technical ability. However, his attitude must have made him blind to the fact that it was virtually impossible to beat the Black Mamba. Bryant, on the other hand, seemed aware of the situation. He knew he needed to show this rookie that the road to becoming a legend is tough, and one cannot traverse down the path with their head in the clouds. Rather than waiting for the next season, Bryant helped Irving out the first moment he got. On 11 December 2012, in a Lakers vs. Cavs matchup, Kobe used his opportunity wisely. Even though Irving played well with 28 points and 11 assists, he could never score on Kobe. Kobe scored a full 42 points, and he made sure to never miss on Irving. However, the spectacle of the evening was yet to come. With about 6 and a half minutes left in the third quarter, Kobe got a chance to guard Irving. Irving kept repeating that the latter could not guard him. But Irving was proved wrong, and how. On the Instagram live, Irving reveals that the crowd created a mood that encouraged Irving to go for the shot. However, Bryant punched the ball right out, putting the rookie right back where he belonged. Irving admitted, “I sized Kobe up, but the crowd got me.” 

A young rookie Kyrie Irving challenged NBA legend Kobe Bryant to a one-on-one
for $50,000. Bryant showed Irving right where he belonged.

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When Kobe Bryant Put a Young and Challenging Kyrie Irving to the Place Where He
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<h2>Everything to Know About the Los Angeles Lakers</h2>
<h2>History</h2>
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most popular sports teams in the world. The Lakers are also a very successful team, and it started right from the beginning. The franchise began in 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers in the National Basketball League and won the title in 1948. The team then joined the rival Basketball Association of America, which would later become the NBA in 1948. The Lakers continued their successful run in the BAA as well. But the team struggled financially in the mid-50s and relocated to Los Angeles in 1960 as the Los Angeles Lakers.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-381910 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200918202141/lal_primary-logo-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1189" />

Read More: <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-news-why-did-kobe-bryant-have-such-a-disturbing-relationship-with-his-parents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Why did Kobe Bryant have such a disturbing relationship with his parents?</a>
<h2>Who is the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers?</h2>
Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers along with the Forum and NHL's Los Angeles Kings for $67 million in 1979 from then-owner Jack Kent Cooke. The Lakers thrived under the leadership of Buss as he revolutionized virtually the entire league.

When Dr. Buss passed away in 2013, the ownership was transferred to his six children through a family trust. The Buss Family Trusts is the majority owner of the Lakers now with Jeanie Buss acting as the controlling owner. She became the first female controlling owner to win the title when the Lakers clinched the championship in 2020.

Read More: <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-throwback-relive-the-final-battle-between-kobe-bryant-and-lebron-james/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="internal">NBA Throwback: Relive the Final Battle Between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James</a>
<div class="thb-post-title-bottom">
<h2>Who are the team sponsors?</h2>
The Los Angeles Lakers are sponsored by several major brands. Notably, the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers signed a stadium-naming rights deal with the cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com. According to reports, it was a 20-year $700 million contract. So, the Staples Center was officially renamed Crypto.com Arena.

While the official kit sponsor of the Lakers is Nike, the team signed a deal with bibigo as the official jersey patch partner in 2021. Some of the other notable sponsors of the team are American Express, Beyond Meat, BioSteel, Budweiser, Comerica, Delta and Pepsi.
Read More: <a style="font-size: 16px" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-la-lakers-where-does-lebron-james-live-all-that-we-know-about-his-massive-and-luxurious-villa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Where Does LeBron James Live? All That We Know About His Luxurious Villa</a>

</div>

[caption id="attachment_1647883" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1647883" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-04-03T021203Z_617747669_MT1USATODAY20381083_RTRMADP_3_NBA-LOS-ANGELES-LAKERS-AT-HOUSTON-ROCKETS.jpg" alt="LeBron James and Anthony Davis" width="1920" height="1280" /> Apr 2, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forwards Anthony Davis (3) and LeBron James (6) signal to teammates against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2>Los Angeles Lakers roster</h2>
<table style="height: 742px" width="441">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LeBron James</td>
<td>Small Forward</td>
<td>38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Davis</td>
<td>Center</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Austin Reaves</td>
<td>Shooting Guard</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>D’Angelo Russell</td>
<td>Point Guard</td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dennis Schroder</td>
<td>Point Guard</td>
<td>29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rui Hachimura</td>
<td>Power Forward</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lonnie Walker IV</td>
<td>Guard</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mo Bamba</td>
<td>Center</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jarred Vanderbilt</td>
<td>Power Forward</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malik Beasley</td>
<td>Shooting Guard</td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tristan Thompson</td>
<td>Center</td>
<td>32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Troy Brown Jr.</td>
<td>Small Forward</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Read More: <a style="font-size: 16px" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-news-hilarious-when-shaquille-oneal-challenged-michael-phelps-to-a-swimming-contest/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">When Shaquille O'Neal challenged Michael Phelps to a swimming contest</a>
<h2>Achievements and wins</h2>
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the two most successful teams in the league with 17 championships each. The Lakers' winning culture started right after the team was founded in 1947 as they won the NBL title in 1948. The Minneapolis Lakers continued winning titles after moving to the BAA as well. Then the BAA merged with NBL to form the NBA in 1949. So, the Lakers' 1948 title win is not considered by the NBA as an official championship. However, the 1949 championship is recognized since the team joined the BAA.

The dominance of the Lakers continued in the 50s as they won titles in 1950, 1952, 1953 and 1954, led by legendary center George Mikan. However, things went south after Mikan retired in 1954 as the team struggled on and off the court. Because of the financial troubles, the franchise was relocated to Los Angeles in 1960. However, the team still found it hard to get back to its winning ways. After a dry spell that lasted years, the team won the 1972 title with the help of NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain. It was followed by another eight years of disappointment.

In 1979, Dr. Jerry Buss became the majority owner of the Lakers with the intention to turn the team's luck around. 1979 also marked the entry of NBA legend Earvin 'Magic' Johnson when the team drafted him as the first pick. Thus began the era of Showtime Lakers. With the help of Magic, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and others, the Lakers lifted five championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. The team then lost the 1989 and 1991 NBA Finals.

The Lakers struggled again until Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant started working their magic. The duo led the Lakers to three straight championships from 2000 to 2002, a feat even the Showtime Lakers could not achieve. O'Neal, Bryant and the team dismantled their opponents on their way to all three titles, displaying utter dominance. After Shaq left the team in 2004, Kobe became the main man. He then led the team to two straight rings in 2009 and 2010. Recently, superstar LeBron James helped the team win their record 17th championship in 2020.
<h2>The Lakers' rivalry with the Boston Celtics</h2>
The Boston Celtics and the Lakers are the two most successful teams in the league with 17 championships each. The Lakers and Celtics also have one of the biggest and longest rivalries in sports history. The rivalry between the two started in 1959 when they first faced each other in the Finals. The two have battled in the Finals a record 12 times in which the Celtics mostly came out on top.

In 1959, the Celtics swept the Lakers for the title. The Celtics continued their dominance over the Lakers by winning a mindboggling eight straight Finals, winning in 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1984 over the Lakers. This was a massive blow to the franchise and its loyal fans who felt that their opponents were simply unbeatable. However, the Lakers finally overcame this streak and won the championship against the Celtics in 1985 and then again in 1987.

After the 1987 Finals, the Lakers and the Celtics once again locked horns in 2008 where Boston came out victorious. The teams again clashed in the 2010 Finals with the Lakers clinching the title this time. While the Celtics have won 9, the Lakers have won 3 in their 12 Finals showdowns so far.
<h2>How many numbers have the Lakers retired?</h2>
The Lakers have always been fortunate to have some of the most storied players on their roster for a long time. Therefore, so far, the team has 14 names on their rafters. The jerseys of legends George Mikan (99), Elgin Baylor (22), Jerry West (44), Wilt Chamberlain (13), Gail Goodrich (25), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33), Magic Johnson (32), James Worthy (42), Jamaal Wilkes (52), Shaquille O’Neal (34), Kobe Bryant (8, 24) and Pau Gasol (16) have been retired. Legendary broadcaster Chick Hearn's name is also up on the rafters.
<h2>Laker Girls: The owner's game-changing entertainment addition</h2>
Dr. Jerry Buss was a visionary who revolutionized the league with his entertainment and marketing ideas. The legendary team owner wanted the Lakers to be entertaining on and off the court to bring fans to the arena and to popularize the game in the country and around the world. One of Dr. Buss' important innovations was the Laker Girls.

The late owner ordered a formation of a dance squad with highly talented female dancers. While the idea received some backlash early on, it became widely accepted. While the Showtime Lakers entertained fans with their up-tempo style of play, the Laker Girls kept the crowd going with their dances during breaks.
<h2>Lakers on social media</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Instagram</td>
<td><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lakers/">@lakers</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Twitter</td>
<td><a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers/">@Lakers</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Facebook</td>
<td><a href="https://www.facebook.com/losangeleslakers">@losangeleslakers</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Website</td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/lakers">https://www.nba.com/lakers?tmd=1</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Founded </td>
<td>1947</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Owner</td>
<td>Buss Family Trusts</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>President</td>
<td>Jeanie Buss</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Conference</td>
<td>West</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>General Manager</td>
<td>Rob Pelinka</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Head Coach</td>
<td>Darvin Ham</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sponsors</td>
<td>Crypto.com, bibigo, Nike, etc </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arena</td>
<td>Crypto.com Arena</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Championships</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Conference Titles</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Division Titles</td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Team Value</td>
<td>$5.9 Billion</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Los Angeles Lakers

Everything to Know About the Los Angeles Lakers History The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most popular sports teams in the world. The Lakers are also a very successful team, and it started right from the beginning. The franchise began in 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers in the National Basketball League and won the title in 1948. The team then joined the rival Basketball Association of America, which would later become the NBA in 1948. The Lakers continued their successful run in the BAA as well. But the team struggled financially in the mid-50s and relocated to Los Angeles in 1960 as the Los Angeles Lakers. Read More: Why did Kobe Bryant have such a disturbing relationship with his parents? Who is the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers? Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers along with the Forum and NHL&#8217;s Los Angeles Kings for $67 million in 1979 from then-owner Jack Kent Cooke. The Lakers thrived under the leadership of Buss as he revolutionized virtually the entire league. When Dr. Buss passed away in 2013, the ownership was transferred to his six children through a family trust. The Buss Family Trusts is the majority owner of the Lakers now with Jeanie Buss acting as the controlling owner. She became the first female controlling owner to win the title when the Lakers clinched the championship in 2020. Read More: NBA Throwback: Relive the Final Battle Between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James Who are the team sponsors? The Los Angeles Lakers are sponsored by several major brands. Notably, the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers signed a stadium-naming rights deal with the cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com. According to reports, it was a 20-year $700 million contract. So, the Staples Center was officially renamed Crypto.com Arena. While the official kit sponsor of the Lakers is Nike, the team signed a deal with bibigo as the official jersey patch partner in 2021. Some of the other notable sponsors of the team are American Express, Beyond Meat, BioSteel, Budweiser, Comerica, Delta and Pepsi. Read More: Where Does LeBron James Live? All That We Know About His Luxurious Villa Apr 2, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forwards Anthony Davis (3) and LeBron James (6) signal to teammates against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports Los Angeles Lakers roster  LeBron James Small Forward 38  Anthony Davis Center 30  Austin Reaves Shooting Guard 25  D’Angelo Russell Point Guard 27  Dennis Schroder Point Guard 29  Rui Hachimura Power Forward 25  Lonnie Walker IV Guard 24  Mo Bamba Center 25  Jarred Vanderbilt Power Forward 24  Malik Beasley Shooting Guard 26  Tristan Thompson Center 32  Troy Brown Jr. Small Forward 23  Read More: When Shaquille O&#8217;Neal challenged Michael Phelps to a swimming contest Achievements and wins The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the two most successful teams in the league with 17 championships each. The Lakers&#8217; winning culture started right after the team was founded in 1947 as they won the NBL title in 1948. The Minneapolis Lakers continued winning titles after moving to the BAA as well. Then the BAA merged with NBL to form the NBA in 1949. So, the Lakers&#8217; 1948 title win is not considered by the NBA as an official championship. However, the 1949 championship is recognized since the team joined the BAA. The dominance of the Lakers continued in the 50s as they won titles in 1950, 1952, 1953 and 1954, led by legendary center George Mikan. However, things went south after Mikan retired in 1954 as the team struggled on and off the court. Because of the financial troubles, the franchise was relocated to Los Angeles in 1960. However, the team still found it hard to get back to its winning ways. After a dry spell that lasted years, the team won the 1972 title with the help of NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain. It was followed by another eight years of disappointment. In 1979, Dr. Jerry Buss became the majority owner of the Lakers with the intention to turn the team&#8217;s luck around. 1979 also marked the entry of NBA legend Earvin &#8216;Magic&#8217; Johnson when the team drafted him as the first pick. Thus began the era of Showtime Lakers. With the help of Magic, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and others, the Lakers lifted five championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. The team then lost the 1989 and 1991 NBA Finals. The Lakers struggled again until Shaquille O&#8217;Neal and Kobe Bryant started working their magic. The duo led the Lakers to three straight championships from 2000 to 2002, a feat even the Showtime Lakers could not achieve. O&#8217;Neal, Bryant and the team dismantled their opponents on their way to all three titles, displaying utter dominance. After Shaq left the team in 2004, Kobe became the main man. He then led the team to two straight rings in 2009 and 2010. Recently, superstar LeBron James helped the team win their record 17th championship in 2020. The Lakers&#8217; rivalry with the Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics and the Lakers are the two most successful teams in the league with 17 championships each. The Lakers and Celtics also have one of the biggest and longest rivalries in sports history. The rivalry between the two started in 1959 when they first faced each other in the Finals. The two have battled in the Finals a record 12 times in which the Celtics mostly came out on top. In 1959, the Celtics swept the Lakers for the title. The Celtics continued their dominance over the Lakers by winning a mindboggling eight straight Finals, winning in 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1984 over the Lakers. This was a massive blow to the franchise and its loyal fans who felt that their opponents were simply unbeatable. However, the Lakers finally overcame this streak and won the championship against the Celtics in 1985 and then again in 1987. After the 1987 Finals, the Lakers and the Celtics once again locked horns in 2008 where Boston came out victorious. The teams again clashed in the 2010 Finals with the Lakers clinching the title this time. While the Celtics have won 9, the Lakers have won 3 in their 12 Finals showdowns so far. How many numbers have the Lakers retired? The Lakers have always been fortunate to have some of the most storied players on their roster for a long time. Therefore, so far, the team has 14 names on their rafters. The jerseys of legends George Mikan (99), Elgin Baylor (22), Jerry West (44), Wilt Chamberlain (13), Gail Goodrich (25), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33), Magic Johnson (32), James Worthy (42), Jamaal Wilkes (52), Shaquille O’Neal (34), Kobe Bryant (8, 24) and Pau Gasol (16) have been retired. Legendary broadcaster Chick Hearn&#8217;s name is also up on the rafters. Laker Girls: The owner&#8217;s game-changing entertainment addition Dr. Jerry Buss was a visionary who revolutionized the league with his entertainment and marketing ideas. The legendary team owner wanted the Lakers to be entertaining on and off the court to bring fans to the arena and to popularize the game in the country and around the world. One of Dr. Buss&#8217; important innovations was the Laker Girls. The late owner ordered a formation of a dance squad with highly talented female dancers. While the idea received some backlash early on, it became widely accepted. While the Showtime Lakers entertained fans with their up-tempo style of play, the Laker Girls kept the crowd going with their dances during breaks. Lakers on social media  Instagram @lakers  Twitter @Lakers  Facebook @losangeleslakers  Website https://www.nba.com/lakers?tmd=1    Founded  1947  Owner Buss Family Trusts  President Jeanie Buss  Conference West  General Manager Rob Pelinka  Head Coach Darvin Ham  Sponsors Crypto.com, bibigo, Nike, etc   Arena Crypto.com Arena  Championships 17  Conference Titles 19  Division Titles 33  Team Value $5.9 Billion

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Kyrie Irving

By age 4, Kyrie Andrew Irving could dribble between his legs. A point guard, currently plying his craft for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA, Irving played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils before being drafted with the first overall pick by the Cavaliers in 2011. After playing six seasons and winning Cleveland a historic championship alongside LeBron James, Irving moved to the Boston Celtics where he played for two seasons. Having become a free agent in the 2019-20 off-season, Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets and formed a formidable duo with superstar forward Kevin Durant. In February 2023 after a messy exit from Brooklyn, Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he formed a partnership with Luka Doncic. Kyrie plays at the point guard position and is currently using jersey no. 11. Kyrie Irving&#8217;s early life Born March 23, 1992 in Melbourne, Australia. His parents, Drederick and Elizabeth Irving were professional basketball players in Australia at the time. When he was two, his family moved back to the United States and settled in West Orange, New Jersey. There is basketball heritage here, with his father Drederick playing college basketball at Boston University alongside Shawn Teague. And courtesy of his father, Kyrie started young too. He went on to attend Montclair Kimberley Academy for middle and high school and showed signs of brilliance. As a sophomore, he led them to their first Division championship in school history. Ranked among the top high school basketball prospects in his senior year, he received scholarship offers from Duke, Kentucky, and other top NCAA programs. Kyrie Irving&#8217;s wife and children Kyrie Irving is not currently married. Previously, he was in a long-term relationship with Kehlani Parrish, an R&amp;B singer. For the most part, Irving keeps his dating life private. Irving has one daughter named Azurie Elizabeth, born on November 23, 2015. Her mother is Andrea Wilson, Kyrie&#8217;s ex-girlfriend. The player previously stated that fatherhood has made him &#8220;a more emotional person&#8221; and that being a father has given him &#8220;more compassion in this world.â€Â  Kyrie Irving&#8217;s net worth 2024 According to Forbes&#8217; 2024 report, the net worth of the Mavericks guard stands at $120 million, encompassing both his on-court earnings and off-court ventures. Irving has maintained an average annual contract salary of $22.5 million over his career. Additionally, he secured an $11 million endorsement deal with Nike for his signature &#8220;Kyrie&#8221; shoes, which proved to be top sellers for the brand. However, following an anti-Semitic tweet, Nike chose to sever ties with Irving. Subsequently, in 2023, Irving inked a new sneaker agreement with the Chinese sportswear powerhouse &#8220;Anta.&#8221; &nbsp; Kyrie Irvingâ€™s career timelineÂ  Back in January, Irving was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, his eighth selection and sixth as a starter. In February, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. During a game in March, Irving scored 40 points while his teammate, Luka Doncic, scored 42 points. It was the first time in Dallas franchise history that two players scored 40 points in the same game.Â  In July 2019, the Nets signed Irving in free agency. On his debut, he scored 50 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves. But he played just 20 games for the Nets in his first season owing to a shoulder injury. In the 2021-22 season, he missed the first half of the season due to his insistence on not getting vaccinated against Covid-19. He eventually started playing in the away games in cities that didn&#8217;t have a vaccine mandate. After New York City also lifted its vaccine requirements, Irving made his season debut at the Barclays Center. However, the Nets were swept in the First Round of the Playoffs by his former employers, Boston Celtics. There were many reports of Irving wanting out of Brooklyn by declining his player option for the final year of the contract. However, Irving opted into the contract, returning to the Nets for the 2022-23 season. Irving, nevertheless, had a tumultuous tenure with the Brooklyn Nets marred by injuries, suspension for promoting an antisemitic film, and conflicts over his stance on not getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Tensions boiled over between Irving and the Nets organization, making a trade appear inevitable before the February deadline. Jan 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) celebrates after making a basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports On February 5, 2023, the Nets traded Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks. In return, the Nets received Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick, and multiple second-round picks from Dallas. The Mavericks hoped adding the star scoring of Irving would help Doncic and push them higher up in the competitive Western Conference. However, the Mavs struggled to integrate Irving seamlessly into their lineup down the stretch of the 2022-23 season. Interestingly, Irving had about $36.5 million left on his contract for 2022-23 when traded to Dallas. He is eligible for a contract extension with the Mavericks this summer but his future in Dallas remains uncertain. Kyrie Irving contracts According to multiple reports, Irving has agreed to a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mavericks, featuring a player option for the third season. Kyrie Irving&#8217;s salary for the 2023/24 NBA season amounts to $37,037,037. Irving is presently committed to the Dallas Mavericks for a three-year contract valued at $126 million. His status will transition to unrestricted free agency in 2026. By the conclusion of the 2023/24 NBA season, Irving will have amassed a total career earnings of $270,083,674. Â Kyrie Irvingâ€™s Investments After signing a new brand partnership with ANTA and unveiling his new logo, Irving invested in KICKS CREW due to its track record and commitment to building a player-owned and empowered platform. The partnership was driven by a mutual desire to democratize the sneaker marketplace and unite communities through sneaker culture. Kyrie Irving&#8217;s role as Chief Community Officer also showcased a cause-driven, community-centric approach, empowering new brands and collaborations that blended art and basketball in new ways. His efforts extended globally, including initiatives and projects that positively impacted the Middle East and Africa, embodying a broader social and cultural engagement vision. Kyrie&#8217;s endorsement deals, which encompass partnerships with Panini, Anta, and Pepsi, contribute approximately $17 million to his earnings. &nbsp; Kyrie Irving stats Career AveragesÂ  Points: 23.4 Assists: 5.7 Rebounds: 3.9 Steals: 1.1 Field Goal %: 47.3% 3-Point %: 39.2% Best Scoring Seasons 2021-22 (Brooklyn): 27.4 ppg 2019-20 (Brooklyn): 27.4 ppg 2016-17 (Cleveland): 25.2 ppg NBA Awards/Honors NBA Champion (2016 with Cleveland) 7x NBA All-Star (2013-2015, 2017-2019, 2021) All-NBA Second Team (2019) NBA Rookie of the Year (2012) NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2013) Playoff Stats 23.9 points per game in 106 career playoff games Scored 41 points in Game 5 of 2016 Finals to lead Cavs comeback Other 60-point game vs. Orlando in 2022 (career high) One of 7 players with 25+ ppg in both NBA Finals &amp; Olympics 12th all-time in 3 PM made (1,454 entering 2022-23) &nbsp; Kyrie Irvingâ€™s Records Youngest All-Star MVP: In 2014, Irving became the youngest player to win the NBA All-Star Game MVP award at the age of 21, showcasing his prowess among the league&#8217;s elite. Scoring Prowess: Irving is known for his scoring ability, evident in his record for the most points scored in a regular-season debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers with 29 points in 2011. Historic Three-Point Shooting: Irving holds the record for the most three-pointers made in a single NBA All-Star Game with 11 in 2019, showcasing his long-range shooting prowess on the big stage. Clutch Performances: Irving has a reputation for delivering in clutch moments, including his record for the most points scored in an overtime period during the NBA Finals with 12 points in 2017, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers secure a crucial victory. Multiple 50-Point Games: Irving has recorded multiple 50-point games in his career, including a franchise-record 57 points for the Brooklyn Nets in 2021, highlighting his scoring dominance on the court. Elite Ball-Handling: Known for his exceptional ball-handling skills, Irving has mesmerized fans with his dribbling prowess, earning him recognition as one of the most skilled ball-handlers in NBA history. Triple-Double Performances: Despite being primarily known as a scorer, Irving has also showcased his versatility with several triple-double performances throughout his career, demonstrating his ability to impact the game in multiple facets. Kyrie Irvingâ€™s major achievements and awards &nbsp; NBA champion (2016) 8Ã— NBA All-Star (2013â€“2015, 2017â€“2019, 2021, 2023) NBA All-Star Game MVP (2014) All-NBA Second Team (2019) 2Ã— All-NBA Third Team (2015, 2021) 50â€“40â€“90 club (2021) NBA Rookie of the Year (2012) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012) NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2013) USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2014) FIBA World Cup MVP (2014) McDonald&#8217;s All-American (2010) First-team Parade All-American (2010) &nbsp; Â Kyrie Irvingâ€™s Shoe Deal The highly anticipated sneaker free agency period concluded earlier this summer, marking one of the most-watched events in recent memory. In June, Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving finalized a five-year contract with Chinese brand ANTA for footwear and apparel. As part of the agreement, Irving will have his signature shoe line and serve as the Chief Creative Officer of ANTA Basketball. Following the signing, the outspoken NBA star embarked on a tour of China to promote the new partnership and visit ANTA&#8217;s headquarters in Xiamen. During his visit, Irving engaged with fans, factory employees, and ANTA executives, while also unveiling his new signature logo. The logo, prominently featuring a &#8220;K&#8221; and the number &#8220;11&#8221; representing Irving&#8217;s jersey number for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season, was revealed on a large outdoor mural, captivating basketball enthusiasts and sneaker aficionados alike. Interestingly, Irving&#8217;s ANTA logo bears some resemblance to his previous Nike logo, which he had used for nearly a decade during his tenure with the American brand. The unveiling of the new logo further solidified Irving&#8217;s transition to his new partnership with ANTA. Kyrie Irving&#8217;s house Kyrie Irving previously owned a residence in Brooklyn, New York. He acquired a three-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse loft in Union City for $925,000. However, following his recent trade to the Mavericks, he vacated the property. Additionally, Irving had previously purchased a home in Cleveland. Upon his departure to play for the Celtics, he sold the property for $2 million. The house boasted four bedrooms, six bathrooms, an indoor basketball court, a fireplace, a private cinema, and other amenities. Â Kyrie Irvingâ€™s RingsÂ  On August 27, 2015, Irving learned he might miss the start of the 2015â€“16 NBA season due to a left kneecap fracture from the 2015 NBA Finals. He returned on December 20, scoring 12 points in 17 minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers. On January 6, he achieved a season-high 32 points against the Washington Wizards and matched it on February 8 against the Sacramento Kings, adding 12 assists. Just two days later, he surpassed this with 35 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Cavaliers claimed the Eastern Conference&#8217;s top seed with a 57â€“25 record. In the playoffs, they swept the Detroit Pistons, with Irving contributing 31 points in Games 1 and 4. Advancing with a 12â€“2 record, they met the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals. Despite a challenging start, Irving and LeBron James led a turnaround in Game 5, each scoring 41 points. In a historic Game 7, Irving&#8217;s late three-pointer secured a 93â€“89 victory, ending Cleveland&#8217;s 52-year championship drought. Kyrie Irvingâ€™s Car collectionÂ  Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks&#8217; NBA All-Star, boasts a remarkable car collection worth a staggering $1.3 million. Despite his controversies off the court, Irving&#8217;s star status in the NBA affords him a luxurious lifestyle, evident in his choice of automobiles. Irving&#8217;s collection includes a mix of sports cars and a luxury SUV. Among them is the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, ideal for off-road adventures with its robust design and 3.6L V6 engine. Adding flair to his garage is the Audi R8, a premium sports car combining performance and style with its 5.2L V10 engine and sleek design. No luxury collection is complete without a Ferrari, and Irving&#8217;s garage boasts the Ferrari 458 Italia, valued at $225,325, known for its speed and power. Another standout is the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, priced at $399,500, offering top-notch performance with its 6.5L V12 engine and eye-catching design. Topping off his collection is the Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster, the most expensive at $460,422, known for its exquisite design and blistering speed, reaching up to 217 mph. Irving&#8217;s car collection reflects his penchant for luxury and performance, showcasing his success both on and off the basketball court. Â Kyrie Irvingâ€™s Social Media Accounts &nbsp;  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kyrieirving/  Twitter https://twitter.com/kyrieirving  Facebook N/A  Website can skip if not there  &nbsp;  Personal Information:  Full Name Kyrie Andrew Irving  Popular Name Kyrie Irving  Date of Birth 23rd March, 1992  Birth Place Melbourne, Victoria, Australia  Age 32  Height 6 feet 2 inches  Weight 195 lb  Parents Drederick Irving (Father) Elizabeth (nÃ©e Larson) Irving  Siblings 2 Sisters:Â  Asia London  Nationality American  Ethnicity African-American  Net Worth $90 Million  Salary $37.037 Million  Spouse Marlene Wilkerson  Relationship/Marital Status Married  Children 3  Profession Basketball Player  Team Dallas Mavericks  Rings 1

When Kobe Bryant Put a Young and Challenging Kyrie Irving to the Place Where He Belongs

Young Kyrie Irving challenges Kobe Bryant