Kevin Love on Why Kyrie Irving Jersey Should Be Retired by Cavaliers

• Kevin Love has said that Kyrie Irving's jersey should be retired by the Cleveland Cavaliers
• Irving contributed heavily to the Cavaliers' 2016 NBA title
• The 29-year-old left the team in 2017 after requesting a trade

Cleveland forward Kevin Love has claimed Kyrie Irving's jersey should be retired because he made the biggest shot in NBA Finals history.

Kyrie and Love were part of the team that won the 2016 NBA championship, beating the Golden State Warriors in seven games. They produced an improbable comeback from 3-1.

Despite forcing his move away from the team six years ago, the 30-year-old is eighth on the franchise's all-time scoring list. His magnificent performances in Games 5, 6, and 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, kept the Cavaliers in the series.

Irving has grabbed the headlines in recent months. He refused to take the Covid-19 vaccine and posted a movie which was termed antisemitic, per BBC.

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His off-court scandals have made him one of the most controversial players.

This season he is having a good season with the Brooklyn Nets alongside Kevin Durant. The two stars starred on Monday night as the Nets beat the Cavaliers 125–117 on Monday night.

Love on Irving's jersey retirement

According to SI, Love says Irving's jersey retirement by the Cavaliers shouldn't be a debate because his shot in game 7 of the finals brought the Cavaliers their first title.

“Without a doubt. Absolutely. Right away, after his career ends. It’s not even a question to me. He needs to be up there. He made the biggest shot in franchise history and one of the most important shots in Finals history when you consider how it all went down.”

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Love, Irving and LeBron James were teammates on the Cavaliers from 2015 to 2017. They won the Eastern Conference in each of those three years and went 161–85 in the regular season.

Kyrie was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2017. James and Love remained and returned to the 2018 NBA Finals where they were swept by the Warriors.

Irving on his time at Cleveland

Sports Brief earlier reported on Irving recounting his time with the Cavaliers, saying he will cherish those years forever.

Irving said the team that won the 2016 NBA championship after coming back from 3-1 down against the Warriors remains one of the greatest achievements in NBA history.

"We had a heck of a team here that did something special that's forever sketched in NBA history. No matter what they say about me or anybody else, you have to talk about that team."