Story by
Rod Strickland backed Kyrie Irving through Boston disappointment: "Proud of him"
- Story by
- Rod Strickland backed Kyrie Irving through Boston disappointment: "Proud of him"
Rod Strickland was one of the elite names of the 1990s. As a playmaker, his ability to find teammates was elite, but it was his offensive bag and transcendental skillset that truly put his name on the map.
A product of the Bronx streets, Strickland polished his game until he had every trick in the book. Though he finished his career without a ring, he left an indelible legacy that inspired a new generation of guards.
Advertisement
One of the biggest names among those is Kyrie Irving . When Kyrie entered the league, he brought a flair of streetball imagination, an individual creativity that bypassed rigid coaching systems and gave the NBA a much-needed jolt of artistry.
The connection isn't accidental. Strickland is Irving's godfather and a lifelong friend of Kyrie's father, Drederick, with whom he grew up battling on the concrete courts of New York. Ky grew up with Uncle Rod as a family staple, absorbing every nuance and move from the 17-year NBA veteran.
Kyrie was destined to lead the Celtics to multiple championships
Today, with the benefit of hindsight, we can say Irving has surpassed the accolades of the 1998 assist leader. But even as Strickland remained a die-hard Knicks fan — the team where he started his own journey, he stood firmly by Irving when he donned the jersey of their bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics .
Advertisement
However, after just two seasons, a partnership that promised a dynasty came to a bitter end. At that crossroads, Strickland spoke about his godson's uncertain future.
"Well, obviously, it was disappointing to finish up the way they finished up. Proud of him, had a great year. Now it's back to the drawing board," Strickland said in an interview with "SNY". "As far as his future, I want him to go wherever or stay wherever he feels comfortable and he's happy."
"That's what this is all about. Being happy and being competitive. He's done a lot of things in his short time in the NBA," he added. "Twenty-seven years old, he's accomplished a lot of things. And so now I just hope that he finds a place, whether it's Boston or whether it's somewhere else, that he's having fun and he's doing his thing."
Advertisement
Statistically, Irving was the best player on the floor during his two years in Boston. He was brought in to be the championship-tested leader for young stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown .
Yet, the weight of the outside world took its toll. Irving later admitted that the speculation surrounding his exit from Cleveland was a massive distraction .
"Last year it was almost like a trial," Irving admitted before his second season in Boston. "The focus needed to be directed on getting better and helping my new team win a championship, instead of focusing on all the outside noise that affected me personally."
Advertisement
Irving ultimately found his happiness in Dallas
Happiness, however, proved elusive even after his departure from Boston for the Brooklyn Nets . It wasn't until his arrival with the Dallas Mavericks that Kyrie truly seemed to find a home.
Yet, even there, fate intervened; just as he began to master the court alongside Luka Doncic , they traded his partner in crime and soon after, a devastating ACL injury sidelined him, leaving him on a long and grueling road to recovery.
Advertisement
Still, as true basketball purists, we can only hope that Irving has a few more phenomenal years left in the tank because when he is at the peak of his powers, the nine-time All-Star remains one of the most gifted and unguardable players in the world.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
