Kyrie Irving shuts down “LeBron is my dad” talk, reflects on evolved bond with former teammate

Recently, NBA player Kyrie Irving uploaded a Twitch video where he claimed that people reportedly ask him if LeBron James is his father. Addressing those, he said that the question is really crazy. They have a friendly relationship. After their time as teammates in the Cleveland Cavaliers and a phase of apparent misunderstanding, Kyrie Irving and LeBron James have shown respect for one another in recent times.

Kyrie Irving addresses LeBron father figure rumor, says their bond is now based on mutual respect

During the same Twitch video on June 12, which was later uploaded on X, Kyrie Irving could be seen appearing with his father. He then said:“I only have one father, Drederick Irving… This is my father… And I'm glad we got to recreate that meme, bro, because that question was crazy. When somebody asked me if LeBron was like a father figure to me, bro, that was crazy, bro. That was a crazy-a*s question. He's like a few years older than me.

You asked this man if he was my father figure, bro… I got my father right there, Drederick Irving. No disrespect, bro.”The video seemed only for fun. The question is possibly raised from the fact that Kyrie Irving and LeBron James are really close. The former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates have a complicated connection.

Even though there were problems in their relationship, right now, they appear to be doing well. The Dallas Mavericks player also acknowledged the NBA legend's influence on his career.

In response, the NBA icon has openly commended the player and even mentioned how much he misses their collaboration. Additionally, the NBA legend also referred to the Mavs player as "the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen" in a June 5, 2024, episode of the Mind the Game podcast. He also said that he was "so f--king mad" that they were no longer teammates.During the same episode, ESPN's Brian Windhorst stated that although the players’ friendship had soured after the point guard asked to be traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 offseason, it has now recovered.

Windhorst then explained:"When Kyrie left Cleveland, they pretty much didn't talk for years. They were at odds… At some point in the last few years, they've made up to the point where LeBron actively wanted the Lakers to trade for Kyrie Irving a couple of times when he was on the trade block ... The Lakers made an offer at the trade deadline last year, Dallas' offer was just better."Kyrie Irving and LeBron James’ relationship has matured- from a complex mix of admiration, rivalry, and independence to one of mutual respect. While they may never reunite as teammates, their shared history remains one of the most impactful and discussed partnerships in modern NBA history.Also read: “I’m taking my time” – Kyrie Irving casts doubt on return with concerning injury update