Kyrie Irving Reveals Why Team Success Matters More Than Being No. 1 Option

• Kyrie Irving has said that winning games matters more than being the No. 1 option
• The Brooklyn Nets star has been a subject of discussion among fans who want to see him perform every night for the team
• The Nets have been without Durant for two weeks now and Irving has performed well in his absence

The Brooklyn Nets started a terrible four-game losing streak when Kevin Durant injured his MCL. They looked to be heading to familiar territory, where they collapse when Durant is not playing.

However, the last two games have shown that Kyrie Irving is capable of leading the team to win games without his sidekick. In the last two games, which were against the Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors, Irving scored 48 and 38 respectively.

When Durant went down with an injury in earlier this month, head coach Jacque Vaughn didn't want to put more pressure on Irving, who many fans expected to step up in Durant's absence.

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In the Nets' latest game, he rallied the team from a 17-point deficit to win on the road against the defending champions. He has at least silenced the doubters who felt he wasn't playing at a higher level, per the Athletic.

Irving on being No. 1 option

The guard is now averaging 26.7 points per game this season. With Durant ruled out for two more weeks, he'll need to lead the Nets.

The 30-year-old said that being the first, second or third option doesn't matter to him as long as the team is winning, per SI.

This is just a message for everybody at home: first option, the second option, third option, they don't (expletive) matter to me. It doesn't matter who has the ball in their hands as long as they're being aggressive, and it's the best shot for our team."

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Irving joined the Celtics in 2017 reportedly saying he wanted to be the focal point of another team, per ESPN.

Irving opens up on Cavaliers stint

Sports Brief earlier reported on Irving saying his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers will forever live with him because they did something special there.

The 30-year-old spent six seasons in Cleveland, and although he greatly contributed to their lone NBA title, he left behind a complex legacy.

After they lost to the Golden State Warriors in the 2017 NBA Finals, he joined the Boston Celtics after requesting a trade from the Cavaliers. He had $60 million left in his contract.

Irving's spell with the Celtics was forgettable, as he failed to raise to the occasion as the No. 1 option for a young Eastern Conference team.