Nothin' But Nets
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Kyrie Irving’s NSFW exchange with Cavs fan is awesome

By Jordanna Clark

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 17: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket around Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 17, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 17: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket around Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 17, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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On Monday, Kyrie Irving returned to Cleveland to face the team that drafted him in 2011. He didn’t get the result that he wanted, as the Brooklyn Nets fell to the Cavaliers, 114-107. Irving scored a game-high 27 points and during his 38 minutes on the court, he made time to interact with a Cavaliers fan.

Irving should always be welcome in Cleveland, right? He was an instrumental part of the city’s legendary title run in 2016 alongside LeBron James.

However, that wasn’t the case for all Cavaliers fans.

Irving was heckled by one fan in particular sitting close to the court and that comes with playing on the road. Fans heckle players all of the time, and in some cases, their own team’s players (ask Julius Randle).

But in this case, Irving decided to clap back.

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving responds to Cleveland Cavaliers fan.

During the year that Irving won his only championship with Cleveland, he averaged 19.6 points in 53 games.

In the Cavaliers’ 21 playoff games that season, he averaged 25.2 points, 4.7 assists, and three rebounds. Irving shot 47.5% from the field and 44% from the 3-point line.

That includes a clutch 3-pointer with less than a minute to go in Game 7 to give Cleveland a three-point lead, 92-89.

Irving, along with James, were the two key reasons why the Cavaliers were able to overcome a 3-1 deficit against the Warriors.

The same fan that was likely singing Irving’s praises six years ago made the trip to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday to yell at the point guard.

Finally, Irving responded and referenced the championship that he helped to win for Cleveland before referring to the fan as “ungrateful.” There were a series of voices that chimed in at that point, but someone replied back to Irving and said, “It was just one.”

That one title is the Cavaliers’ lone championship and ended the city’s 52-year drought, so if it weren’t for Irving and his teammates, Cleveland would still be without a banner. That wasn’t the most clever reply to Irving’s remark.

Brooklyn will face Cleveland one final time in the regular season on Apr. 8 at Barclays Center. Due to Irving’s current vaccination status, he’ll be unable to play in that game (unless he gets vaccinated).

Cavaliers fans, you’ve seen the last of Irving this year. That is, unless somehow the Nets face Cleveland in the playoffs, but those fans know all too well that Irving isn’t a player that you want to go up against in the postseason.