Cleveland Cavaliers fans have heard this before, but maybe this time it is different. Kyrie Irving is the next big thing in the NBA. In just his second season with the Cavaliers, he has already reached All-Star status. He is the player the team is planning to build around. He will lead them to the playoffs and beyond soon enough, so naturally many are speculating he is ready to leave Cleveland as soon as possible.
The Cavaliers are doing their best to build a roster that will finally have success. After the departure of LeBron James, Dan Gilbert stocked up on young talent with the hopes of potential success down the road. This offseason, the team has signed Earl Clark, Jarrett Jack and Andrew Bynum. With these new pieces, Cleveland is not a longshot for the postseason, but that is dependent upon Irving. He recently took to Twitter to shoot down his unhappiness.
"I wish I knew "someone in the know" for all my facts, maybe I would go into journalism as well! Rumors are rumors," Irving said.
Irving then reiterated those statements while talking to the media during a Team USA mini-camp in Las Vegas.
"I'm a Cavalier right now," Irving said. "I'm happy to be a Cavalier. I kind of had a sarcastic approach to it from what was said, because it was probably just a rumor starter. I don't think he knows anybody in my camp, and I don't know who the guy is. But that type of stuff I don't even pay attention to. Right now I'm a Cleveland Cavalier and I'm happy to be here."
Now careful Irving, Cleveland fans have heard this before from another budding super star not too long ago. He is remaining very adamant to the media that he has no intentions of leaving the Cavaliers. He is thrilled with the team's offseason pickups and recognizes they are a team on the brink.
"I'm looking forward to it," Irving said. "Especially seeing Anthony Bennett play, and getting to see Andrew Bynum play when he's healthy. I'm really excited about these pieces."
The idea that Irving would not be long for Cleveland is not the craziest notion. He was upset with the sudden firing of Byron Scott. He went so far as to say that he felt like he lost a father with the firing and was disappointed in the organization. However, now Irving is singing a different tune, intrigued by the plan Mike Brown will be putting in place and excited for the summer ahead.
"I had some growing up to do this summer and that's what I'm doing. Just trying to develop myself as a person and a basketball player," Irving said.