Cleveland Cavaliers Rumors: LeBron James and Kyrie Irving Feud? Superstar Exchange Words After Loss
Cleveland Cavaliers superstars LeBron James and Kyrie Irving reportedly exchanged words following their 101-82 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, ESPN reported on Thursday.
Sources told Brian Windhorst of ESPN that the exchange of words between James and Irving led to the superstar point guard leaving the venue quickly without talking to the media for an interview, but witnesses viewed the incident as healthy as both superstars were just concerned with the way they played.
Following the exchange of words, James told reporters that the some players should get rid of their "bad habits." While James did not call out names, most analysts believe that the four-time Most Valuable Player was referring to Irving and Dion Waiters' tendency to play one-on-one basketball.
"There's a lot of bad habits, a lot of bad habits been built up the past couple years," James said. "When you play that style of basketball, it takes a lot to get it up out of you."
James reportedly told Irving to focus on facilitating their offensive sets after the starting point guard averaged just 3.8 assists in their first four games this season. A day after the exchange, Irving erupted for 34 points in their 102-100 loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, which earned praises from James.
"I mean, as far as [Irving's] scoring, it was big time," James said. "He made all the shots we needed to keep us in the game. He made some great plays down the stretch, finished above the rim. It was great."
However, James said that they won't win games if they won't learn to share the ball after tallying only six assists against the Jazz - four coming from James, while Irving had no assists.
"You just can't explain," James said of the franchise-low six assists. "There's no way you're going to win a basketball game like that, just having six assists. We just can't win like that, and we got to figure out a way to help each other and not make it so tough."
But while they are failing to live up to expectations early in the season, James remains optimistic that the Cavaliers will turn things around once they get into their groove.
"Rome wasn't built in a day and we understand that," James said after Wednesday's loss. "You have to continue to work the process. You hate to lose as competitors, but we felt like tonight we improved. We improved and proved in the second half we're capable of playing some good basketball."
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