For some Cavs fans, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving’s issues are welcomed

It was a rough weekend for a few former Cleveland Cavaliers stars in Kyrie Irving, who forced his way out of Cleveland in the summer of 2017 and was traded to the Boston Celtics, and LeBron James, who signed with the Los Angeles Lakers this past summer as a free agent.

Kyrie Irving‘s Boston Celtics suffered a loss at the hands of the lowly 16-44 Chicago Bulls Saturday night. This comes on the heels of Irving having choice words when pressed about his relationship with Kevin Durant.

Irving and Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant were caught on camera talking over All-Star Weekend and tons of speculation about their conversation centering on potentially teaming up via free agency this coming summer broke out, (and the New York Knicks were discussed as a destination), h/t Amico Hoops’ Ben Stinar and Twitter user @jpizzy15.

Irving then ranted that the media is what makes the NBA not fun and how his conversation with Durant is none of the media’s business.

Check out his full comments here, per NBCSCeltics.

https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1098392840424570881

LeBron James, on the other hand, has already had to activate his “Playoff Mode” as the Los Angeles Lakers sit at 29-30, currently on the outside of the playoff picture after a loss to the Anthony Davis-less New Orleans Pelicans, and James questioned his team’s sense of urgency and motivation.

James greatly questioned his team postgame with the media present, per Spectrum SportsNet (h/t Christian Rivas of SB Nation’s Silver Screen & Roll).

Those were some big words for James, who co-founded production company SpringHill Entertainment, the outlet that broke the news of the release date of Space Jam 2 earlier this week.

As a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, it is easy to enjoy watching James and Irving struggle with their respective teams, especially as the Cavs have looked competent in their recent games against the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns.

In a rough season, those recent wins for Cleveland were good to see.

James and Irving both ditched Cleveland for greener pastures, so watching them struggle provides a little bit of consolation for their departures. Irving has seemed to bash Cleveland every chance he’s gotten, so watching him get flustered by the big Boston media is refreshing.

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One of the biggest critiques of LeBron James’ departure for L.A. was that it likely wasn’t 100 percent basketball motivated; it’s L.A., there’s plenty more non-basketball activities for James to be engaged in in closer proximity, such as the film industry.

For him to criticize young Lakers players for not being 100 percent about basketball is a little bit ridiculous when his own interests include potentially tampering with other players, namely Anthony Davis (h/t a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski), James’ HBO talk show, The Shop, and him co-founding a movie production company.

I would never wish injury or ill-will on either player. They’ll both go down as Cleveland Cavaliers’ legends.

Both should have statues outside The Q when it’s all said and done, but for the time being, while the Cavs toil in the bottom of the Eastern Conference, watching the Celtics, who many predicted to win the East, slip to the fifth seed is a welcomed sight.

James and his Lakers currently sit on the outside looking in. If he ends up missing the postseason or losing in the first round, the takes that will surround him regarding “legacy” would be scorching.

It is nice not to be concerned with the rumors that surround James and the drama that seems to follow him.

In a disappointing year for the Cavs, there is a little bit of satisfaction in seeing James and Irving have their respective struggles. That being said, if either of them ever want to return to Cleveland, they should be welcomed back, and in the meantime, it’s okay to feel a little happiness because things aren’t going as smoothly for James and Irving.