Kyrie Irving finally addressed the infamous question that planted the seeds for his inevitable break-up with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kyrie Irving and LeBron James formed one of the most dominant duos in the NBA when they teamed up together in 2014.
In a move he unknowingly helped orchestrate, James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, hoping to fulfill his promise to Cavaliers fans and win the franchise a championship.
It took LeBron just two years to achieve that goal, leading the Cavs to the 2016 NBA championship. Right by his side was Kyrie Irving. Both James and Irving were scintillating in the 2016 NBA Finals.
While Kyrie and LeBron handled the ball for the Cavs, it was their excellent chemistry that helped the pair thrive on the court.
But all of that chemistry and their bond dissipated in 2017, when Irving left the Cavaliers. And some fans have speculated it was one question from a reporter that laid the groundwork for their split.
Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News via Getty ImagesKyrie Irving finally addressed LeBron James’ ‘father figure’ question
In 2017, a reporter asked Kyrie Irving whether LeBron James was like a father figure to him on the Cavaliers.
Now, years later, Irving finally opened up about how disrespectful that question was. He repeated that his father was Dredrick Irving, and that question was completely out of line.
“This is my dad. I only have one father, Drederick Irving. I only have one father… 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 was crazy. That was a crazy a** question.
“He’s like few years older than me, and you asked if he was my father figure. I got a father right there, Dredrick Irving. No disrespect, bro.”
“That was a crazy ass question.”
Kyrie on reporter that asked if LeBron was a ‘father figure’ to him 😭💀
(Via kyrieirving/twitch) pic.twitter.com/zHsLo4S9T2
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 12, 2025
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Kyrie Irving was flabbergasted with reporter’s disrespectful question
The question that Kyrie Irving is referencing comes from a 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers practice session, where a reporter asked him what type of parental role LeBron James played for him and the Cavaliers.
Reporter: “Kyrie, Tristan [Thompson] called LeBron a great father after the Chicago game. What type of parental role has he played for you and your teammates?”
Irving: “Parental role? I don’t know how to answer that question. He’s been a great leader for us. I have one father. That’s my dad, Dredrick Irving.”
Irving was visibly confused and disrespected by that question. In the months to come, LeBron and Irving’s relationship would sour greatly.
And after the 2017 NBA Finals, Irving would demand a trade out of the Cavaliers. He would join the Boston Celtics.
It took a few years, but Irving and LeBron were able to mend fences and become great friends again. But it’s strange to imagine how one difficult question derailed what could have been a dynasty in Cleveland.