Back in 2017, when Kyrie Irving was about to face his former coach Mike Brown’s Golden State Warriors, he claimed he “regrets” what happened with Brown. In 2014, he was the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ and reports suggested that it was Irving who was behind this shacking. Though the very next coach publicly announced it’s more of a board’s decision and the 8x All-Star has to do nothing with it. But now Irving’s Ex-teammate reveals Kyrie might have played a part.

2020 NBA champ Dion Waiters joined Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson’s podcast, Scoop B Radio, and he wasn’t shy about sharing his experience under the coach. Waiters has a lot of respect for Brown, calling him one of his “favorite coaches.” But when the conversation shifted to Brown’s departure from Cleveland, Waiters hinted that it all came down to Brown’s coaching style.

“Honestly, I just think Kyrie and coach, like, because Mike held him accountable. You know what I mean? I just think it was because of, like, that situation,” Waiters explained, pointing to the tension between Kyrie and Brown because of his tough-love approach.

Waiters played with the Cavaliers under Brown for one season, the same as Irving, who had a ROTY title and an All-Star appearance by then. For the 2020 champion, who had only joined the league, it was a good experience. But he admits he cannot say the same about Kyrie or his then teammates.

“But, you know, I love Mike. Mike was my favorite coach. We won under Mike. Mike held everybody accountable as he should. I just felt like certain guys didn’t like that,” he shared. However, Waiters also acknowledged that sometimes franchises prioritize players over coaches. “He’s a good coach. It shows. So you understand, like, it’s just a business, though,” he said, adding that the organization’s main concern seemed to be how its star player felt about the coach.

But just days after Mike Brown’s sacking, the next interim GM, David Griffin boldly claimed Irving was not the reason behind it. “Any insinuation that Kyrie had anything to do with this decision is patently false,” Griffin said, his voice unwavering. He even stressed that Kyrie wasn’t involved in any coaching calls, clearly determined to set the record straight.

“That is not a narrative that we are going to go with,” he said. However, 3 years after that incident Irving revealed he regrets on what happened with Brown.

Kyrie Irving regrets Brown’s sacking

When Kyrie Irving faced off against his former coach Mike Brown in the 2017 NBA Finals, the star point guard had a surprising admission. “It was a learning experience, to say the least… I kind of regret being part of that.” For Irving, who was then just 21, Brown’s mentorship might have felt like pressure, but hindsight had softened his view.

Brown and Irving’s time together in Cleveland wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. In the 2013-14 season, Brown pushed Irving to elevate his game, challenging him to lead and adopt new strategies. Their tension ran so high that rumors even circulated about Brown suggesting a potential trade for Irving—a bold call that only added fuel to an already tense dynamic.

Ultimately, the Cavaliers decided to part ways with Brown, reportedly concerned that keeping him might jeopardize Irving’s long-term commitment. Not long after Brown’s exit, the Cavs signed Irving to a 5-year, $80 million extension, with David Blatt stepping in as the new head coach.

Years later, Irving looks back with an understanding of just how complex those early years were. “I was a 21-year-old kid, just trying to lead a franchise,” he explained, acknowledging the pressure he felt. Brown, too, had been navigating new roles, systems, and expectations—factors that, in retrospect, Irving seems to appreciate more fully.