"In championship moments, you're a coward, Kai" - Emmanuel Acho rips Kyrie Irving for ambitious tweet after losing NBA Finals
Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving struggled offensively against his former team, the Boston Celtics, in this year's NBA Finals. Following the Mavericks' 4-1 series loss, FS1's Emmanuel Acho called him out for lacking focus and failing to display championship mettle.
After tumultuous stints with Boston and the Brooklyn Nets, Irving redeemed himself in the eyes of many over the playoffs' first three rounds. The eight-time All-Star averaged 22.8 points per game on an efficient 48.5% shooting over 17 contests. In doing so, he proved he could still be a No. 2 option on a championship contender.
However, Irving's production dropped off in the finals. He averaged 19.8 ppg on 41.4% shooting over five games. Moreover, in three road matchups at TD Garden, his averages fell further to 14.3 ppg on 34.0% shooting.
Without Irving's consistent complementary scoring alongside superstar guard Luka Doncic, Dallas experienced difficulty keeping up with Boston's high-octane offense. Many attributed Irving's shortcomings to the Celtics' length and lockdown perimeter defense.
However, on Tuesday's episode of "Speak," Acho shifted the narrative toward the star guard's off-court priorities. The former NFL linebacker took exception to Irving's reassuring message to his fans following Monday's 106-88 Game 5 loss.
"Tribe, stay together no matter what. Through the ups and downs, wins and losses, success and failure. Keep your head up high. This mission is bigger than us. I love you all!" Irving said.
According to Acho, the 2016 champion's tweet showed he is more focused on his spirituality than winning another title.
"Kyrie Irving chose the wrong time to try to find himself," Acho said. "See, I didn't like this Kyrie Irving who has appeared to try to find some new level of enlightenment. Play basketball, Kai. This Kumbaya Kai is not getting it done for me."
Acho continued blasting Irving for underperforming in critical moments.
"Where are the buckets, Kai?" Acho said. "You averaged 14 points in the Garden, Kai. You shot 34% from the field in the Garden, Kai. You are the only Dallas Maverick that has won a championship. Yet, in the championship moments, you're a coward, Kai."
Emmanuel Acho says Jrue Holiday is more of a winning player than Kyrie Irving
Emmanuel Acho calling out Kyrie Irving's Game 5 postgame tweet wasn't the only time he took a shot at his finals performance.
Last week, with Boston leading Dallas 2-0 in the finals, Acho said that Celtics veteran guard Jrue Holiday was "more conducive to winning." He added that Holiday "has been a better all-around player (defense counts) than Kyrie over the last four years."
Holiday averaged fewer points than Irving in the finals, ranking third on Boston in scoring at 14.4 ppg over five outings. However, he shot a blistering 53.6% while playing lockdown defense, rebounding (7.4 rpg) and playmaking (3.8 apg).
Most would probably agree that Holiday faced far less offensive pressure than Irving, so Acho's take remains divisive. Regardless, it appears the FS1 personality isn't the biggest fan of Irving on or off the court.
Also Read: "They know what this bitter feeling feels like": Kyrie Irving reflects on viral video of shaking hands with every Celtics player after NBA Finals loss