LeBron James 'mad' he's no longer Kyrie Irving's 'running mate'

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, left, greets Kyrie Irving during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Having to sit back and get ready to watch the NBA Finals from his couch appears to be making LeBron James nostalgic.

The four-time champion was speaking on his podcast Mind the Game with co-host JJ Redick, previewing the title series between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, and couldn’t help but long for the “good old days,” when James and Dallas guard Kyrie Irving were teammates.

“There was nothing on a basketball floor that Kyrie couldn’t do,” James said about his Cleveland Cavaliers co-star of four seasons.

“Sitting here, watching it, I’m so (expletive) happy and so proud to watch him continue his growth … but at the same time I’m so (expletive) mad that I’m not his running mate anymore.”

It’s hard to fault James for his frustration, given how successful their partnership was. With Irving by his side, the pair led Cleveland to three consecutive Finals appearances and the franchise’s lone championship in 2016.

Had it not been for the dynastic Golden State Warriors, it’s not out of the question to assume they’d both have some more hardware.

“I have so many words to praise Kyrie that I end up with absolutely none,” James continued.

Despite their partnership not ending in the smoothest of ways — with Irving abruptly requesting a trade out of Cleveland ahead of the 2017-18 season — James still appreciates their time together.

It probably helps that James has gone on to two more Finals appearances since the duo broke up, winning a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, and Irving is now just heading back to a Finals for the first time.

Since the eight-time All-Star left the Cavaliers, he’s spent two seasons with Boston, 3.5 with Brooklyn and 1.5 with Dallas, all in the hopes of replicating the kind of success he accomplished with James.

No matter who he has paired up with, whether it was Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the Celtics, or Kevin Durant and James Harden on the Nets, Irving hadn’t been able to get back to the promised land.

2024 NBA Finals: Celtics vs. Mavericks
Keep up with the latest news and analysis from the NBA Finals as the Boston Celtics clash with the Dallas Mavericks and watch select games on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

Which is why his run to the Finals with Luka Doncic seems all the more satisfying. After years of unsuccessful attempts, trying to replicate his magic with James, Irving appears to have finally found his new running mate.

“I just remember those times, to have a guy like Kyrie Irving as the ultimate wild card,” James said. “That’s like having a ‘draw four’ in your hand every time someone deals you cards in Uno.”

“(Dallas) may be able to win the whole thing because of that wild card … he’s the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen.”