Subscribe
Follow Us
Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving got the best of New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett on Friday, hitting a pull-up 3-pointer from his sweet spot in the fourth quarter to call game in the spirited battle of the boroughs. Despite the two being in rival teams, Irving wanted Barrett to know he can seek help in him as a former Duke product.
Article Continues Below“I just want to make sure that they understand that I’m here for them outside of the competitive field,’’ said Irving, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. “But you’re going to have instances in the NBA game where you see one of your Duke brothers or someone you went to college with and they’re going to ask you some questions. I’ve been in the league going on my ninth year now. And seeing RJ be so young and be so poised, really just play fearlessly, it’s great. Coach [Mike Krzyzewski] really prepared him for it. I’m going to see him for a few more years in the league, and just told him to stay calm and I’m always here.’’
Both Irving and Barrett only attended Duke for a year before declaring for the NBA Draft, a byproduct of a decade-long one-and-done culture. Yet the two are linked by Coach K's teachings and the outpour of support from the legendary helmsman.
Irving was also coached by Krzyzewski again during his time with Team USA, where he received teachings from others like Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, and other older pros that were willing to show him the ropes as a young player. Now going into his ninth season in the league, Irving is willing to do the same for other up-and-coming talents, passing it forward as some of his NBA brethren once did for him.
