Dallas Mavericks Star Kyrie Irving Gets Real on Team USA Snub: ‘Just Didn’t Fit In’

Irving had nothing but love for the LeBron James and Stephen Curry-led Team USA squad that will be looking to redeem the country following last summer’s shenanigans at the FIBA World Cup. According to Kyrie, he understands that he just had no place in this latest iteration of the national team:

“I wish my brothers well. I just didn’t fit in to this team,” Irving said (h/t TalkBasket.Net). “I think the deliberation process was a tough one. But again, I have nothing but respects to those guys of USAB.

“At this point in my career I think my focus should be on winning the championship and in summer time to just go and support those guys when I get a chance.

Irving is locked in on the Playoffs right now for the Mavs as they prepare for what should be an epic first-round postseason war against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Kyrie Reflects on Past Achievements

Irving, however, could not help but take a bit of a dig at the process by which this year’s team was selected. The veteran’s veiled shot came in the form of Kyrie talking about how things were done during the old days:

“I grew up in a time when we actually had to try out for USAB,” he continued. “And we did meet up as a group and as peers and there was a mutual respect that we earned from one another in trying out and seeing what five meshed well.

“I think the timing’s a little bit different. I kind of miss those days of just being able to get everybody together, break bread and then compete against one another. And then the deliberation process happens at the end of like the four days or five-day process even though people know who’s going to be on the team. I missed that fun part of it of just getting together, but I just wish my brothers well.”

Is Kyrie feeling a bit salty about the snub, though? I mean, there’s always another layer when it comes to this dude, so perhaps this is his passive-aggressive way of questioning the way the squad was formed.

Either way, Irving will need to put all this behind him as he looks to help the Mavs advance to the second round of the Playoffs, and perhaps beyond.