In the midst of all the bedlam in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, there was a big return and a heartfelt expression of gratitude. Kyrie Irving explained how it felt being back in the city where he won an NBA championship after the goosebumps-inducing conclusion to Tuesday’s matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks.
“Oh man, it’s beautiful,”Irving said postgame, per Grant Afseth of DallasBasketball.com. “Shout out to all the Cavs fans, and I don’t want to just say Cavs fans, but all of Ohio. You know, 2016 is forever. I don’t think anyone’s touching that historical moment, but if someone does, God bless them.”
The dollop of “Believeland” nostalgia that whacked Irving in the face seemed to fuel him against the Cavs, as he scored 30 points on 50 percent shooting from the floor. But it was not enough to overcome the mind-boggling eruption of Max Strus, who knocked down five 3-pointers with less than four minutes remaining. He capped off the frenzy with a 59-foot, buzzer-beating hoist for the 121-119 victory.
But Strus’ heroics did not prevent Irving from properly appreciating the history he helped make with this franchise.
Kyrie Irving gave Cavs fans a memory that will last a lifetime
He was stellar during the Cavs’ unforgettable playoff run in 2016 and drained the biggest bucket in team history in Game 7 of the NBA Finals versus the Golden State Warriors. Although things ended turbulently, Kyrie Irving and the Cavs are forever linked in the book of Cleveland basketball.
“Every time I come into this building, I look up at that {championship} banner, and it just brings me back to all those emotions,” the 31-year-old guard said. “And I’m just grateful for my time here, and I really want to get that across to the Cavs fans, Cavs organization.”
Irving kept the warm vibes going on social media. “It will always be Love from me and my Tribe, Cleveland aka Believeland,” he posted on X. “No one will ever be able to take away our banner we won together. All for one, one for all. What a time.”
Regardless of what this franchise does this season or in the future, that 2016 title will be one of the most special moments the city has ever witnessed. And Irving played an essential role in delivering it.