Mavs' Kyrie Irving appreciative of LeBron James' compliments - ESPN

BOSTON — Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving couldn't help but flash an incredulous smile when, on the eve of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the first question that came his way Wednesday was about a former teammate rather than his current Finals foe.

Then again, LeBron James isn't just any teammate.

«Is that the first question?» Irving said when asked about James' recent podcast comments stating he is «f---ing mad» to not be teaming up with the eight-time All-Star any longer. «Oh, God, I love it. Got to love this, man.»

More questions about other former teammates of Irving's on the Boston Celtics followed, of course. Boston was the point guard's landing spot after he was traded away from James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in summer 2017.

But the first order of business was James, whom he teamed up with for three seasons from 2014 to 2017 and made three straight trips to the Finals, winning it all together in 2016 in a memorable seven-game series against a record-setting Golden State Warriors team that went 73-9 in the regular season.

Irving said he «appreciated» James' sentiments on his «Mind the Game» podcast with JJ Redick, when James lauded the former No. 1 pick as «the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen.»

And seven years after playing together, Irving, 32, said his relationship with the 39-year-old James has only flourished.

«Obviously, I'm in a different age, different place in my life. So is he. I think we both have been able to mature and really appreciate what we got a chance to accomplish,» Irving said. «I think there were some things that got in the way of our relationship when I was a little bit younger. Now that I'm able to vocalize how I feel as a man, be comfortable in it, stand on my square, my beliefs,