Kevin Love Says Kyrie Irving “Absolutely Deserves” Jersey Retirement in Cleveland: Calls Iconic Finals Shot a Defining Moment for Franchise, City, and LeBron James
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June 6, 2025
CLEVELAND — Former Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love has reignited a passionate debate in NBA circles by declaring that Kyrie Irving’s No. 2 jersey deserves to be retired by the Cavaliers — not just for his overall contributions, but for delivering “the biggest shot in franchise history.”
In a recent interview, Love didn’t hesitate when asked about Irving’s legacy in Cleveland.
> “Kyrie absolutely deserves it,” Love said. “That shot in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals was a defining moment — not just for the Cavaliers, but for the city of Cleveland, for LeBron James, for all of us. That one shot changed everything.”
Love was, of course, referring to Irving’s unforgettable step-back three-pointer over two-time MVP Stephen Curry in the final minute of Game 7, which gave Cleveland the lead for good and sealed the team’s first and only NBA championship. It completed a historic 3–1 comeback against the 73-win Golden State Warriors — a feat widely regarded as one of the greatest in NBA history.
> “When you think about Cavaliers history, there’s before that shot and after that shot,” Love continued. “It was the moment Cleveland had been waiting for — 52 years without a championship, and Kyrie delivered.”
Though Irving’s exit from Cleveland in 2017 was turbulent — he requested a trade and landed in Boston, citing a desire to emerge from under LeBron James’ shadow — Love believes the time has come to separate emotion from legacy.
> “I get that people were hurt by how it ended, but you can’t ignore what he did,” Love said. “People grow. Things change. But that shot? That championship? That’s forever.”
Since leaving Cleveland, Irving’s career has been marked by brilliance on the court and controversy off it. Yet, his 2016 Finals performance, averaging over 27 points per game and playing toe-to-toe with Curry, remains one of the most clutch in NBA playoff history.
LeBron James himself has acknowledged the significance of Irving’s contribution, often calling the 2016 championship the pinnacle of his career — something Love emphasized.
> “LeBron was the face, the leader — but Kyrie was the closer. That Finals doesn’t happen without him.”
Fan opinion remains divided. Some still view Irving’s departure as a betrayal, while others have begun to warm to the idea of celebrating his legacy. But Love’s strong endorsement could be the tipping point in a growing conversation.
In Cleveland, jersey retirement is reserved for the truly legendary — players who’ve made an indelible impact on the franchise and city. By that measure, Love argues, Irving more than qualifies.
> “That No. 2 deserves to be in the rafters,” Love said. “When people walk into the arena years from now, they need to look up and remember the shot that brought Cleveland back to life.”
Whether the Cavaliers organization will make the move remains to be seen. But in the court of basketball history, Kyrie Irving’s moment — and his legacy in Cleveland — is already immortal.
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