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There’s a new No.2 in Cleveland, and his name is Collin Sexton.
Just two seasons ago Kyrie Irving was rocking that number, and the now-Boston Celtic is cool with the rookie taking the jersey.
“Go ahead, do what you do. He wanted to wear the number, let him wear the number. It doesn’t matter,” he told ESPN while promoting his Uncle Drew movie.
Irving is aware that people are going to care about the number, but he’s more excited to see the Alabama product blossom amongst the Cavs.
“The story is probably going to be the number. But I’m more excited about who [Sexton] is as a player in the league. 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 explained.
Irving is already satisfied with the amount of work he put in with that number on his back, which of course won him a championship.
“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. A feat that’s — we’re one of no other teams. So for me, I think the biggest thing is giving that jersey [he wore in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals] 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 is, of course, talking about coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals to ward off the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.
The upcoming season is still undetermined for the Cavaliers as LeBron James has yet to confirm if he’ll rejoin his hometown team. Rumors have him going to the West which would throw the NBA out of whack with two certified powerhouse teams in the same conference.
