Scouts, coaches feel LeBron, Kyrie Irving have ‘disconnect’ on court
All this talk about Kyrie Irving not being too happy in Cleveland seems to have some legs.
A report at the end of February said Irving wasn’t too happy with the Cavs and in a perfect world preferred to be on on another team. In the days that followed, LeBron James began subtweeting some mysterious messages.
Here’s what LeBron tweeted on Sunday:
It's this simple. U can't accomplished the dream if everyone isn't dreaming the same thing everyday. Nightmares follow. #TheDC #SFG
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 6, 2016
Structure and Consistency creates Perfection. U shortcut, u come up short! Straight Up. #DVC #SFG
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 7, 2016
And here’s what Irving tweeted on Monday:
Control what you can control. Sounds so cliche, but its the bold truth.
Good Morning!!— Kyrie Irving (@KyrieIrving) March 7, 2016
LeBron has used the passive-aggressive method of subtweeting to send messages to teammates before, so it’s not irrational to speculate whether this has to do with a teammate.
And that brings us to the latest tidbit.
Chris Mannix wrote a column Tuesday on The Vertical about the Cavs’ championship hopes fading away. One thing he specifically pointed to was the lack of chemistry on-court between James and Irving.
From his column:
Irving remains a dynamic scorer, but the disconnect between Irving and James is real, several scouts and coaches told The Vertical, with the on-court chemistry between the two, said one scout who saw Cleveland play recently, “basically nonexistent.” Team sources insist the relationship is solid, that James is simply teaching, trying to raise Irving’s basketball IQ. No one understands Irving’s importance more than James, team sources told The Vertical, which is why no one is working harder than James to get the two All-Stars on the same page.
Bad chemistry between the players on-court? Check.
Whispers that Irving wants out of Cleveland? Check.
LeBron subtweeting about players not being on the same page? Check.
Irving seemingly responding? Check.
You don’t have to be a conspiracy theorist to believe something is up here. And to think: It’s mostly because the Warriors are so good they’re causing other teams that are very good to fall apart.
