Kyrie Irving has hit back at what he described as a "psychotic" media narrative after questions emerged over his absence from the Cleveland Cavaliers ' 2016 championship reunion.
Several members of Cleveland's historic title-winning team gathered in the United Kingdom this week to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the franchise's only NBA championship, with LeBron James , Kevin Love , Tristan Thompson , J.R. Smith and others all taking part.
Irving's absence quickly became a talking point, but the former Cavaliers star has now made it clear there is no bad blood between him and the teammates he helped deliver a championship in 2016.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Discussion surrounding Irving's absence intensified online, but the seven-time All-Star insisted there was never any real issue between himself and his former teammates.
According to Irving, conversations had already taken place behind the scenes long before the situation became a public talking point.
"Me and my brothers who played on the Cavs, bro, we're good. We're more than good."
Irving also revealed that he still intends to join the celebrations once he returns to the United States from China.
"When I get back to the states, I'mma pop in with them. We're gonna chop it up. We're gonna have a great time."
Those comments appear to put an end to any suggestion that a lasting rift exists between Irving and the rest of Cleveland's championship-winning group.
While Irving was eager to stress that his relationships with his former teammates remain strong, he was far less impressed with some of the discussion that followed his absence from the reunion.
The former Cavaliers guard suggested the situation had been blown out of proportion, criticizing what he viewed as an attempt to create unnecessary division between players who remain close.
Irving pointed to what he called "the immaturity behind using media to spin narratives" before delivering his blunt assessment of the entire situation.
"Psychotic, bro."
With Irving planning to reunite with his former teammates in the near future, the focus now appears to have shifted away from speculation and back toward celebrating one of the most memorable championship teams in NBA history.
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