It shouldn't have been hard to see Kyrie Irving joining the Brooklyn Nets coming. Not only were rumors running rampant about his interest in signing with Brooklyn in the days and hours leading up to the official start of free agency, but the six-time All-Star grew up in New Jersey rooting for the last great Nets teams of the early 2000s.

In an Instagram video posted on Monday, Irving made it clear he's always wanted to play for the Nets.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzYWRC-nAkA/

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“It was fourth grade. I had just gotten done watching the Nets in the Finals,” Irving says. “And when I knew that this is a dream I wanna fulfill, I had to manifest it. I had to go get it. I had to put in my time, I had to put in my hours. I had to relentlessly work on a craft, and do it with the passion and love that no one could take away from us.

“Home is where my heart is,” he continues, “and it's always been there.”

Irving averaged 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game for the Boston Celtics this season, one that could be considered the best of his career and culminated in a Second Team All-NBA selection. Despite his statistical prowess, Boston never managed to coalesce at least in part due to Irving’s volatility, a development that’s made it clear for months he was likely to leave the team in free agency.

Irving isn't the only superstar who will continue his career in Brooklyn. Kevin Durant, who could miss all of next season while recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, is joining him, potentially setting up the Nets for years of championship contention.