4. Mentally Tough
Kyrie has his own thoughts on mental toughness. But the fact of the matter is, that any person who can continue to excel through all the controversy that Irving has faced this season should be labeled mentally tough.
He’s faced a relationship scandal with his former girlfriend Kehlani, he’s recently been involved in some trade rumors for the upcoming offseason, he battled through an early season injury and every season with LeBron James brings any number of strange controversies.
Of course, just showing up is not good enough in the NBA. One must show up and be a professional. He stated earlier this season that, largely thanks to Byron Scott, he finally understands what it means to be a professional.
“Being a first-year, second-year player, and excuse my language, but f—ing up on a few things and (Scott) being there to protect me every single time as being a 19- or 20-year old kid, just learning and (being) given the keys to the organization and accepting responsibility and knowing how to become a better professional,” said Irving to Cleveland.com. “All the things he was teaching me was just things that I’m starting to understand now.”
Next: Ball-Handling Supremacy
