Top 34 Kyrie Irving Quotes And Sayings About Basketball And Life

Inspiring Kyrie Irving quotes

Kyrie Irving is an American professional basketball player who is known for his exceptional ballhandling and scoring abilities. 

Kyrie played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils before declaring for the NBA Draft in 2011. Irving was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and has since played for the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, and Dallas Mavericks.

In his rookie season, Kyrie won the NBA Rookie of the Year award. In 2016, he won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers where he hit a clutch three-pointer in Game 7 to help secure the win. 

Off the court, Irving is known for not being afraid to speak his mind or to be himself. He's used his platform to advocate for social justice, education, and positive change.

This collection of Kyrie Irving quotes provides a glimpse into his mindset, values, and approach to the game of basketball and life.

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Kyrie Irving Quotes About Basketball

It's clear basketball means a lot to Kyrie Irving, even calling it "an outlet for his pain." Kyrie calls basketball an art form that he is truly passionate about.

1. "When you're playing against a whole bunch of All-Stars, it's like a video game. There's so much talent on the floor at once."

2. "My eventual goal is to win a championship. And before I retire, I just want to win a championship. That's it."

3. "Basketball is an art form, not a game. You master the fundamentals so you can forget about them, so you can improvise and focus on what matters most: scoring buckets."

4. "When I'm playing the 1-guard, I'm kind of seeing everything that's going on. When I play the 2, I have a more broader understanding of what's going on and where the screens are being set in order for not only myself to get open, but for my teammates."

5. "My focus is basketball, and that's it."

6. "I love the gym; I love basketball. I'm really passionate about it."

7. "Everybody in the NBA is good. And then you have the really good ones and the great ones."

8. "I'm not really a big X's and O's guy, but if you want to go there, I'm more of a space-the-floor type of coach: Five out, zero in, and that's the way we play basketball, screen and roll here and there, pocket passes everywhere; it's what it's about."

9. "You want to keep the defense guessing."

10. "Basketball was an outlet for my pain...and ultimately...I learned how to channel that pain into strength and perseverance and having the will of a champion."

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Inspirational Quotes From Kyrie On Truth And Being Yourself

It's no secret Kyrie Irving has been outspoken throughout his career. He is not afraid to speak his mind, even if goes against the grain.

Being himself and staying true to who he is is an important value to Kyrie Irving.

11. "I think that the most important thing that I strive to live by is extremely by truth and by consistently giving others the truth, without any judgement, without constraints, without anything extra except the understanding that I see you."

12. "No one is going to stop you from being yourself but yourself."

13. "It's okay to be human. I don't have to be perfect for anyone here, nor do I have to be perfect for the public. So I'm not here to dispel any perception. I'm just here to be myself."

14. "Directors tell me what to do, and I kind of just put my own twist to it, just to get inside my personality that everybody doesn't really get to see - my off-the-court interests and the way I act. It's just me."

15. "I’ve been playing basketball a lot longer than some of these people analyzing the game. I’m an actual genius when it comes to this game. If you ask me about basketball, I will talk all day. If you ask me about spacing at the 3:33 mark of the second quarter, I will gladly explain it. I'll tell you what plays worked, about adjustments we make. But when it comes to personal things, or comparing myself to my NBA brothers, like, 'Do you think you are better than this guy?' I'm out."

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Kyrie Irving Quotes About Life, Work Ethic, Dreams, and Greatness

Kyrie shares advice about life, working hard, chasing your goals, and being great.  

16. "I've worked countless hours in the gym, so I feel like I'm already prepared for the game. So when I'm listening to music pregame, it's really just about personal enjoyment."

17. "Everything has to be earned, not handed to you."

18. "Growing up, I was a typical high school kid when YouTube first came out, and I was just watching a whole lot of videos of guys in the league I'm playing with now, guys that aren't in the league, and guys that came before me, just watching the moves that they do, and going out in my backyard and trying them. I did it almost every single day. And I didn't do any crazy dribbling drills or any two-ball dribbling drills. I'm really not good at two-ball dribbling. Nah, never did that. I just went out and tried the moves that I saw."

19. "Work hard, stay focused, and understand that nothing worth achieving comes easy."

20. "Unleash everything you have and never look back. Never be afraid to be the best."

21. "No alarm clock needed. My passion wakes me up.. !"

22. "Let go of all you've had and never look back. Always strive to be the best."

23. "Embrace the challenge; never run from it. Don't ever let anyone's thoughts or opinions affect your drive to be great."

24. "I've always wanted to be a basketball player. Only I believed in my dream."

25. "The journey is the reward. Embrace the journey."

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Best Kyrie Irving Quotes On Leadership

26. "One thing that somebody told me is that leadership is a lonely role - some people can do it, and some people can't."

27. "I'm going to give input when I need to. When it needs to be said."

28. "The only thing I command is respect."

29. "I'm probably one of the most competitive people ever."

30. "The greatest thing I would tell the youth is, 'superheroes need help.' The leader of the team doesn't always have to take on the burden."

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Other Kyrie Irving Quotes And Sayings

31. "I've been musically inclined since I picked up an instrument in the fourth grade. I just really appreciate music. I love to listen to it; I love to sing. I wouldn't consider myself, like, a natural singer. I just developed it over time, honestly, just listening. I'm a great listener to music."

32. "I'm a big video game fan."

33. "All I do is sit at home and watch Netflix."

34. "I can't even give my father a proper gift. Every single Father's Day means so much to me. I'm so close to him. He's my big brother, but also my father."

More motivational basketball quotes:

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