Kyrie Irving: Cavaliers would have won NBA title if healthy
There’s no arguing that losing Kyrie Irving hurt the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. But would Irving have been the difference between losing a series in six games and winning a title? He seems to think so.
During a recent appearance on The Big Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal, Irving said the Cavs would have defeated the Warriors had it not been for injuries to himself, Kevin Love and others.
“I’m more or less the voice of reason. I’m always gonna be a straight shooter with everyone and give them my honest opinion,” Irving said, via Dan Favale of Bleacher Report. “Obviously, we had a great thing in Cleveland. We dealt with everything together. I felt like we would have definitely won an NBA championship if everyone was healthy. But almost doesn’t count.”
There’s no way of knowing if that’s true. Some would argue that the Cavaliers played better after Love went down, but that may have been a coincidence. The loss of Irving probably hurt more than the loss of Love, especially in a series against a jump-shooting team like Golden State.
In any event, the Cavs should once again run away with the Eastern Conference next season if they can remain healthy. They’re essentially bringing back the same roster (assuming they re-sign Tristan Thompson), and having a healthy Love, Irving and Anderson Varejao makes Cleveland a much deeper team.
The Cavs are also looking to improve by exploring trades for at least one big-name player. While they might take a back seat to the Warriors and San Antonio Spurs on paper, there’s no reason to believe the Cavs won’t return to the NBA Finals again next season.
More from Larry Brown Sports:
-
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
With Kawhi Leonard back in the fold, the Clippers are all out of excuses
2023-24 NBA Awards Winners Tracker: Naz Reid named Sixth Man of the Year over Malik Monk
-
Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving lead Mavericks over Clippers 96-93 to tie series as Kawhi Leonard returns
Heat hit franchise playoff-record 23 threes to beat Boston, even series 1-1
2024 NBA Playoff Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free
-
Pascal Siakam scores 37, Pacers even series 1-1 by beating shorthanded Bucks
Which NBA teams have never won a championship?
-
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
With Kawhi Leonard back in the fold, the Clippers are all out of excuses
2023-24 NBA Awards Winners Tracker: Naz Reid named Sixth Man of the Year over Malik Monk
-
Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving lead Mavericks over Clippers 96-93 to tie series as Kawhi Leonard returns
Heat hit franchise playoff-record 23 threes to beat Boston, even series 1-1
2024 NBA Playoff Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free
-
Pascal Siakam scores 37, Pacers even series 1-1 by beating shorthanded Bucks
Which NBA teams have never won a championship?