‘Special privileges for LeBron James ended it’: Kendrick Perkins explains why Kyrie Irving demanded a trade from Cleveland
Appearing on The Ringer’s Real Ones NBA show, Kendrick Perkins explains why Kyrie Irving was adamant to be traded away from LeBron James.
Kyrie and LeBron teamed up in the summer of 2014, when the King announced his decision to win a ring for his hometown. James’s arrival upstaged Irving’s status in Cleveland as a franchise star. The two were a pretty good on-court fit, but after a time, there came in a bit of jealousy.
The pair made 3 straight NBA Finals, winning the championship in 2016. Without Kyrie’s injury in 2015, the Cavs may have had another ring in their collection.
‘Special privileges’ fueled LeBron James-Kyrie Irving rift: Kendrick Perkins https://t.co/dOdvhcl43p pic.twitter.com/g9yPcjY17C
— New York Post (@nypost) December 12, 2020
Kendrick Perkins explains how special status for LeBron James did not sit well with Kyrie Irving
Kendrick Perkins, who was with LeBron on 2 of his Finals runs, explained why Kyrie was so put off by preferential treatment given to LeBron.
“You have to realize, Kyrie was there, he was their guy before Bron got there, although Cleveland was in the lottery every damn year and Kyrie was the head of the snake and the No. 1 option. When LeBron came, all of a sudden you’re a contender. Well, also LeBron gets special privileges.”
“But who gives a damn? Every team I’ve been on, the No. 1 option or the franchise guys get special privileges. But a Robin is not going to get the same privileges of a Batman. It’s just not going to happen.”
“He was trying to measure up and be LeBron so bad instead of just basically following his lead. All Bron was trying to do was show Kyrie the ropes and take him under his wing.”
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