Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Kyrie Irving famously won the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first NBA championship together in 2016. They reached the NBA Finals three consecutive years but managed only one title before parting ways. Irving, now with the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference, recently discussed the reasons behind their split before the 2017-18 season.
Irving clarified that he never disliked playing alongside James but felt it was simply time for both to move on.
“It’s not that I disliked playing with Bron at any time; it was just literally my time to move on, and that’s what people gotta accept,”
Irving said, explaining the separation. —Kyrie Irving, NBA Player
Following their split, Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2017, while James signed with the Lakers in 2018. Cleveland has started to emerge again as a contender since both players left. Although rumors once linked Irving to the Lakers, he chose to join the Mavericks instead, never willing to take a salary cut to play in Los Angeles. Both players, known for their ball-dominant style and strong personalities, appear better suited leading their own teams rather than sharing the spotlight.
LeBron James Aims for More Championships Amidst Fierce Western Conference Competition
Currently, Irving is sidelined until midseason recovering from an ACL injury, which complicates Dallas’s chances at contending alongside Anthony Davis. Meanwhile, James remains confident in the Lakers’ ability to compete for the title despite the strength of the Western Conference, including the rising challenge posed by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
James also values having Mavericks’ star Luka Doncic with the Lakers full-time, a factor that boosts the team’s chemistry and championship hopes. In the previous season, LeBron averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc, underscoring his continued elite performance as the Lakers pursue further success.
Both Players Chart Their Own Paths Following the Split
Their history together remains a significant chapter for both stars, but their evolving careers demonstrate how they thrive independently. LeBron James added another championship with the Lakers in 2020 during the Orlando bubble, while Irving pursued his own Finals appearance in 2024 alongside Doncic, only to fall short against the Celtics.
Their competitive journeys highlight how individual leadership styles and personal dynamics influence NBA team-building and title aspirations. As the Lakers continue to strengthen their roster, LeBron James’s championship ambitions remain a focal point of the franchise’s strategy going forward.