On Tuesday night, Kyrie Irving streamed the latest episode of the Mind the Game podcast on Twitch, discussing Kevin Durant’s appearance on the show hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash. The former Nets point guard clarified several issues, reflecting on his time in Brooklyn with Durant and Nash.
Irving appeared just as astonished by the events that transpired in Brooklyn as those who were watching from the outside. It seems that he and his teammates felt a significant impact from the exit of Ime Udoka, who was an assistant coach under Nash.
Kyrie Irving gets blunt about his time in Brooklyn
The Celtics eliminated Irving, Durant, and the Nets in the first round of the playoffs in 2022. This occurred just a few months after the team traded James Harden to the 76ers, a topic Irving also talked about during his live stream. He said, “Ime Udoka literally went to the Boston Celtics after coaching with us. That was crazy, bro,”
“You know, that was crazy! We had Ime Udoka literally go to Boston the next year! That means you got coaches on the other team. And it wasn’t anybody’s fault, it’s just opportunity. but we’re in the same division. Can you imagine going against the coach that literally saw all of our strengths and weaknesses and now we’re playing against them? Boston was ready for us. Ime had them ready, had the Celtics ready, dog. When we played them in the 2022 playoffs, s— got wild.”
“When that trade happened it shocked a lot of people. It shocked me. S— I was talking to James one day, I’m like, ‘S— bro we’re about to go win this championship.’ Then he was like… a day later he asked for a trade. I was like ‘Woah! Shoot. O.K.? Sh– like that now?’ O.K., I can’t be mad. I’m not gonna ever be mad at someone doing what’s best for them. And shoutout to James. I’ve had my conversation with James and I told him I understand completely. I understood completely what he was doing.”
Lmaoo Kyrie talks about the Ben Simmons- James Harden trade
“I was talking to James one day and i’m like shit bro we about to go win this championship..and then a day later asked for a trade”😭😭💀 pic.twitter.com/VJwxdwXnYZ
— 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘢☆ (@Stunna999_) July 23, 2025
Ultimately, Irving, Durant, and the Nets managed to win only one playoff series over two postseason appearances.
