Many felt that the Cleveland Cavaliers could have squeezed out at least one more NBA championship if Kyrie Irving had not left the squad after the Cavs were dethroned by the Golden State Warriors in 2017. At that time, Irving felt he didn’t want to play in LeBron James‘ shadow anymore and wanted to be on a team he could call his own.
Looking back, former Cavs big man Kendrick Perkins, who played with both Bron and Kai in 2015, believes that Irving wouldn’t have left if he had considered James his mentor. Unfortunately, Kyrie was so close to the late Kobe Bryant that he did not open himself up to LeBron.
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“He idolized and looked up to Kob so much that he didn’t give Bron the chance to be that big brother figure, even when y’all wanted. I wasn’t there, but I’m keeping it real. Kyrie never really looked at Bron as like that big brother. Kob was that big brother to Kyrie,” said Perk.
Kobe mentored Kyrie since the draft
Irving and Bryant knew each other before James returned to Cleveland. Kai had just won Rookie of the Year honors when he challenged Black Mamba to a one-on-one duel during Team USA’s preparations for the London Olympics, and they became surprisingly close after that.
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James did not return to Cleveland until 2014. Aside from Irving already having a big bro in Kobe at that time, he felt that LBJ was a threat to his rule because he was the Cavs’ No.1 option at that time.
In fairness, both worked hard at their relationship and won the Cavaliers’ first NBA title in 2016. But right after the Golden State Warriors took them off the mountain, Kyrie wanted out.
“So when he burned off, it wasn’t surprising to me, although I wasn’t there. I was like they tripping. They could have run off a few more, but he was tired of being under the shadows. Bron could never really get that arm around Kyrie, cuz Kyrie really didn’t allow him to, in my opinion,” added Big Perk.
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Kai did not like being treated like a little brother
That big brother-little brother between the two was also something that retired ESPN sportswriter Jackie MacMullan talked about in 2018. According to MacMullan, not only did Irving have a hard time accepting his new role on the team when Bron arrived, but he also did not like James always looking at him like a little brother.
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“Together, over three years, the duo played in two All-Star Games and three Finals,” Jackie MacMullan wrote in a 2018 ESPN piece. “They weren’t particularly close, nor were they openly at odds. Teammates say LeBron’s habit of referring to Irving as ‘the kid’ and his ‘little brother’ was eventually viewed by Irving as a subtle lack of respect.”
In a recent Twitch stream, Irving discussed the breakup and said that he would reveal the real story when he’s done playing. So until then, it’s all speculation and opinions. But what’s important is that both now have a good relationship, one that is based on mutual respect and a deeper appreciation of what they accomplished together.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.