“Kyrie Irving could be the NBA’s Lauryn Hill”: When Nets star was told by a friend that he was going to retire before he hit his basketball peak

An interview given by Kyrie Irving, where he talks about his friend saying he could be the NBA’s Lauryn Hill, has now resurfaced.

Nearly 4 years ago, the Nets guard appeared on the Road Trippin’ Podcast by Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye. This podcast is widely remembered for Kyrie’s flat earth comments, which you will find around the 15:23 timestamp in the video below.

The trio won an NBA championship together in 2016. There are fewer bonds in basketball stronger than those between title-winning teammates. So Irving was probably feeling totally at ease when he ventured into his future as an NBA player.

Also Read: “James Harden, you want to jump off the cliff after 9 games?”: John Wall slams Rockets star for openly conceding he wants to leave Houston

Kyrie has since been flamed universally ever since then for spreading disinformation and pseudo-science. But it was far from the only interesting comment he had on the night.

What Kyrie Irving said to Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye in 2017 podcast

The conversation around Irving’s retirement claims went something like this:

Kyrie: One of my best friends told me that he really thinks that I may become the Lauryn Hill of the NBA and just leave early before I even get to my prime.

Channing: The Barry Sanders

Kyrie: I don’t know if its gonna happen. I’m 25, so by the time I get to 10 years in the league I’ll be 29. I’m not gonna say I’m going to be the Lauryn Hill of the game but thats what my best friend told me. … I love this game with all my heart, but there’s just so much knowledge to be acquired and so much that should be happening but isn’t.

Also Read: “Draymond Green was headed to Europe”: Andrew Bogut shares how Steve Kerr saved Warriors star’s NBA career alongside Stephen Curry

At the time, what Irving said had seemed preposterous. It would seem insane to anyone that Irving would pass on potentially hundreds of millions for being a star. But recent events may lead people to feel differently.

Irving is now under the scanner for potentially having broken Covid protocol while celebrating with his family. They say that when it rains, it pours misery on people’s lives. Perhaps this is Irving’s time for trials and tribulations.