Dear Kyrie,
I honestly don't even want to write this.
My Open Letters have mostly been reserved for athletes who've recently done something wrong. Shameful sports acts like intentional injuries and cheating have prompted these rants - these penned outbursts - if you will.
But this Kye, this is obviously different.
My new-found respect for you happened last summer. It was the day you signed your $90/5-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
When your contract was set to expire a year ago I was pretty sure that you'd stick around, although I couldn't be certain, mainly because I live in Cleveland. I even had a good friend of mine damn near bet his house that you'd end up signing with the Lakers. Who knows, one day maybe you will.
But for you to sign that max-contract and commit to the Cavaliers on the very first day you were allowed to do so spoke volumes. It convinced us that you wanted to establish yourself - your greatness and your legend - in Cleveland.
Then LeBron came back and it was on. You went out and had one helluva season. 21.7 points, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game ain't easy to do. Your postseason numbers, considering your injuries, were impressive as well.
But the injury bug had been hanging around the Cavs for months. It had just finally caught up to you, too.
After a generally healthy season followed by a not-so-healthy playoff campaign, a common play in the late stages of last night's contest resulted in your knee banging the floor and you limping off the court. You were in obvious pain as you walked off the floor, but when they showed your face in that back hallway is when I knew this could be really bad. We all did.
As you know, the Cavs lost.
While licking their wounds it was announced Friday that season-ending surgery was required to repair your fractured knee. A fractured knee you obtained during your 44th minute in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. A Game 1 where you arguably outplayed the league MVP.
I couldn't believe it. . .
It's no secret that I'm a die hard Cleveland sports fan. I say it all the time.
Sure, I have other teams in each league that I like and keep a watchful eye on, but who doesn't? Those aren't my guys. The Browns, Cavs and Indians will always hold my heart. This basketball team has infused life back into my city, and you - Kyrie Irving - are a major reason why.
You can't go a block without seeing this season's mantra - 'All In' - hanging from a window or plastered onto a car-bumper. Watching you play next to LeBron has been a treat, and you should know that we as fans don't take that for granted.
You are Uncle Drew. You will bounce back from this. The entire state is pulling for you, and you have to know that you're not going through this process alone.
At this point we just need you to fully recover. Your sole goal right now is to get better and allow your good spirit to rub off on the rest of your team. Last time I checked you signed a five-year deal, so we're going to need that knee for at least four more seasons. Four more potential trips to the Finals.
So go ahead and pick out your sharpest suit, Mr. Irving. Try to find a spot on the bench (if your doctors allow you to do so). Be an inspiration for your teammates. Be an inspiration for your brothers.
And if the Cavs manage to win this thing - If your brothers accomplish this now-major upset and achieve that elusive basketball immortality that my city so sorely deserves, #IPromise it will only be done playing one way. . .
Your brothers will have to play like you. They'll have to play as good as Uncle Drew to beat this Goliath team that is the Golden State Warriors. They'll have to be smart, daring, strong willed and resilient for at least four games.
Do you think you could talk em into that?
We're hurting for you Kye. We cherish what you've done and look forward to what you'll do.
Get better, bro.
Matty Nice
PS - I'll leave you with highlights from your best game as a professional. This is what you are. Get back out there as soon as you can.
