Did Wizards anger Kyrie Irving with silly in-game video?
A couple weeks ago, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall said he didn't like that Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving had more All-Star votes than he did. Even though the fans get to decide which starters they want to see, Wall has played in every game at a high-caliber level, even getting named the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Month in December.
Irving, on the other hand, made his season debut on December 20, and has only appeared in seven games total.
It seems unfair, but so is life.
During Wednesday night's showdown between the two, Washington decided to play an in-game video to hype up the simmering All-Star controversy. It didn't go over too well, as Cleveland.com explains right here:
In the second quarter during a timeout, the Wizards' in-game entertainment crew presented a questionable spoof that ended up biting them in the rear. It was intended to be lighthearted and humorous, but failed miserably. On the Jumbotron it showed fans attending the game in Cavaliers apparel being asked in the concourse who belonged in the All-Star Game between Wall and Irving. Every single fan said Wall, and you could tell they were instructed to answer that way. The bit went on long enough that it got the Cavaliers' attention from their huddle, and they didn't take too kindly to it. "Nah, we didn't like it as a team. We didn't like it at all," guard J.R. Smith said with a stone face. "Yeah, I saw it for sure," LeBron James chimed in. "I've been dealing with that my entire career."
Irving was special in the fourth quarter, slicing through Washington's defense and opening up a tight game down the stretch. He couldn't be stopped.
But there's a good chance that would've been the case had the Wizards never shown the video, either. Irving doesn't need any extra motivation to destroy his opponent on the basketball court. That being said, giving him one isn't the smartest move.
