Kyrie Irving Admits He Hasn’t Been a Leader

Through his first three seasons in Cleveland, Kyrie Irving has piled up plenty of accolades, but the All-Star point guard knows he has a long way to go.

Irving hopes to move past spats with teammates, accusations of not playing defense, and Kyrie knows he must live up to his new max deal with the Cavaliers.

Above all, the 22-year old floor general intends to assume a leadership position with the Cavs.

Per RealGM:

“I haven’t been a leader – not at all,” Irving said.

 

“Everybody asks me if this is my year to be a leader … I haven’t been so far though, not at all,” Irving said. “I’ve just been a kid trying to figure it out. There’s no perfect way to be a leader, and coming in as a 19-year-old kid and having everything bearing on your shoulders, there are a lot of ups and downs. Now it’s about being the best every single day and not being afraid.

 

“I’m more than excited with our new veterans. I’m really excited just from the standpoint of how the locker room is going to go and how to really be a professional. I’m not saying that the veterans that we had weren’t professionals themselves, but we didn’t have enough. Given the right and wrong things to do in the league, I’ve had to learn on my own and that’s what some of us been doing.” […] “Now, we have guys who’ve been in the league for years, guys who’ve won championships and have had to give a piece of their game for the greater good of the team. It’s something I admire and something I’m going to learn from.”

Given LeBron James’ return to Ohio (and with Kevin Love on his way as well), all eyes will invariably be on Kyrie Irving and company next season and beyond. Uncle Drew must somehow keep everyone happy on the roster, while improving his own game.

From the sound of it, Irving is up for the challenge.