Tyronn Lue talks about Kyrie and Lebron time in Cleveland

Tyronn Lue talks about Kyrie and Lebron time in Cleveland

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving’s time together in Cleveland was one of the most electrifying partnerships in modern NBA history. When LeBron returned to the Cavaliers in 2014, he teamed up with the young and rising star Kyrie, forming one of the league’s most dangerous duos. Their chemistry blossomed quickly, with Kyrie’s elite ball-handling and scoring ability complementing LeBron’s all-around dominance. Together, they led the Cavaliers to three straight NBA Finals appearances from 2015 to 2017, highlighted by their historic comeback against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Finals. Kyrie’s clutch game-winning three in Game 7 sealed the deal, cementing his legacy alongside LeBron as a key piece in bringing Cleveland its first-ever championship.

However, beneath the success, tensions slowly grew. While LeBron was the unquestioned leader of the team, Kyrie began to feel overshadowed and sought to prove himself as more than just a sidekick. Reports emerged that Kyrie wanted to run his own team rather than remain in LeBron’s shadow, leading to growing friction between the two stars. The situation came to a head in 2017 when Kyrie requested a trade, surprising many considering the Cavaliers were still title contenders.

The fallout marked the end of an era. Kyrie was dealt to the Boston Celtics, leaving LeBron without his co-star, and Cleveland’s championship window quickly closed. Though both players have since achieved success in different ways—LeBron winning another title with the Lakers and Kyrie continuing his career with multiple franchises—their breakup remains one of the most intriguing “what ifs” in NBA history. Many still wonder how many more championships the Cavaliers could have won had LeBron and Kyrie managed to stay united.