Cleveland Cavaliers rookie guard Collin Sexton raised some eyebrows by wearing Kyrie Irving’s old No. 2, but Irving isn’t really concerned.
Now with the Boston Celtics, Irving said it’s “cool” that Sexton is wearing the number, and is excited to see him play in the league.
“Go ahead, do what you do. He wanted to wear the number, let him wear the number. It doesn’t matter,” Irving said Monday, via Ian Begley of ESPN. “The story is probably going to the number. But I’m more excited about who [Sexton] is as a player in the league,” Irving added. “The number thing is like, just chalk that up to the game. It’s cool. It’s no hard feelings from my end. He just has to start at the chopping block just like everyone else did. So I’m excited for him.”
Irving wore the number when he hit the game-winning shot to clinch Cleveland’s first and only NBA title, and while he appreciates Cleveland fans who think the number shouldn’t be in circulation thanks to that moment, he thinks his place in history has already been secured.
“The history, it’s already captured, man. I was on one of the best teams in NBA history, in my opinion, just accomplishing something that was that much bigger than ourselves,” Irving said. “A feat that’s — we’re one of no other teams. We’re one of one, in history [to rebound from a 3-1 NBA Finals deficit]. So for me, I think the biggest thing is giving that jersey to my dad. If that’s where the No. 2 legacy ends, then cool. Then I’m starting up a new one. No pressure for anyone else.”
Irving appreciates his place in Cavaliers history, but it’s pretty clear he’s left his time in Cleveland in the past. This is just further evidence of that.
