When was the first time that Rod Strickland realized Kyrie Irving, a future first overall pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers, was special?
In a June interview sports journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio, former NBA player Rod Strickland described when he found out that his godson, Kyrie Irving, was “special” basketball player.
Ironically, the first time that Irving — who would become the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first overall pick in 2011 — had shown his godfather that he could be special was at the LeBron James camp.
A transcribed excerpt from the interview can be seen below:
Irving would attend the LeBron James basketball camp in 2009.
"”My first eyes on Kyrie as a hooper,” Strickland says, “I saw him play in Springfield, Massachusetts — I mean in a competitive setting — he was at St. Pat’s and then he was at the LeBron James camp.””And once I saw him at the LeBron James camp,” Strickland continues, “I mean he was ridiculous. I saw the right hand, the left hand, all the layups and how he maneuvered… He made passes but he was such a gifted scorer that he could put the ball in the hole… I knew he was special right away.””There are some things that everybody’s not doing, so when I see somebody playing with both hands — the way he was playing with it in high school — that’s special. You don’t see that a lot.”"
Strickland obviously wasn’t the only one who recognized Irving’s talents.
In 2010, Rivals listed Irving as a five-star recruit ranked fourth nationally and second at his position (behind Baltimore-native Josh Selby). Irving chose to commit to Duke University and play for legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski, a combination of superpowers that made him an early candidate for Freshman of the Year.
However, he only played 11 games as a freshman after injuring his right toe in December and missing the rest of the season. No matter, as Irving would still become the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
With the show that Irving out on at James’ camp in 2009 and the Cavs drafting him to be the face of the franchise just two seasons later, it seems like Irving and James have had star-crossed destinies.
In 2014, James left the Miami Heat to return to the Cavs but if you were watched James approach Irving after the Heat played the Cavs one night and speak to him like he was telling a secret in plain sight, it wasn’t all too surprising to see.
After starting together for three seasons, becoming what seemed to be the most deadly duo in the league, Irving requested to be traded from the Cavs in 2017.
Having hit the biggest shot in franchise history and making his name as arguably the best point guard in team history (although Mark Price was no pushover), his desire to leave a franchise that had become perennial championship-contenders was difficult to fathom. However, subsequent reports made it clear that Irving’s request for a trade were about feeling like a trade chip for the Cavs and a desire to emerge from James’ Jupiter-sized shadow.
Now, Irving stars for the Boston Celtics, although there are those who think New York could be his next destination. Irving and James appear to be on good terms, too, even if they aren’t the best of friends off the court.
Honestly, their current “rivalry” only enhances and is enhanced by James’ decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in July. The Celtics – Lakers rivalries of old get fresh faces as Irving replaces Bird and James replaces Magic.
To be fair, even if Irving signs with the Knicks that would be the case. Revitalizing the rivalry that existed between Jerry West’s Lakers and Willis Reed’s New York Knicks would be great for the league, especially with Los Angeles and New York being the most marquee cities in the NBA market.
Nonetheless, regardless of where Irving is or ends up, he’s responsible for many of the most important and sensational moments in franchise history.
He’s truly a special talent. The likes of which many NBA fans have never seen before.