Watch: Team USA Olympics snub Kyrie Irving teaches basketball to young fans on Greek beach
Kyrie Irving is well regarded as one of the most skilled offensive players in NBA history. With an array of moves from his handles to his ability to hit tough shots, he's unparalleled compared to the capabilities of other players. During his vacation at Falasarna Beach in Greece, "Uncle Drew" passed on some basketball knowledge to some curious fans.
The Mavericks guard is coming off one of his best individual seasons, regardless of the NBA Finals loss to Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. Although he had an outstanding year in Dallas, he was excluded from this year's Team USA roster as most suspect he didn't fit coach Steve Kerr's vision for the squad.
His interaction with the basketball fans was shared by X user @O_Ross_O_Geller on the platform formerly known as "Twitter."
Irving displayed some of the offensive style he utilizes on defenders such as how to create separation from your defender, regardless of where they are on the court.
Defensive coverages vary for certain players and possessions during a game. Being able to work with space in tight coverage helps Irving get to the rim, or get his shot off over the defender.
Kyrie Irving talked about being left out of Team USA
There was a lot of chatter surrounding the decision to leave Kyrie Irving off of Team USA Basketball this year. Irving is no stranger to playing internationally (bringing home an Olympic gold medal in 2016 and a FIBA gold medal in 2014), but their rotation features top-tier guards like the Warriors' Stephen Curry, Celtics' Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, Suns' Devin Booker, Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, and Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards.
It came down to fit and adding the necessary pieces that complement each other, while maintaining maximum flexibility for the team. Kyrie Irving agreed that he may not have fit well with this roster, as per Athlon Sports' Dalton Trigg.
"I would have loved to [play for Team USA]," Irving said. "I just didn't fit into this team. I grew up in a time where we actually had to try out for USAB and ... and as peers there was a mutual respect we earned from one another in trying out, and then seeing what five meshed well. At this point in my career, I think my focus should be on winning a championship."
With Haliburton, Edwards, and White, it's clear that USA Basketball wants to incorporate young pieces that they can build the future around for the Los Angeles games in 2028. This is most likely the last Olympics for superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry. Now is the best time to get the next batch of stars accustomed to playing internationally.
Kyrie Irving did his time with Team USA and was an essential piece of its legacy over the years. During the 2016 Olympics, he put up 11.4 points (47.7% shooting, including 37.5% from three-point range), 4.9 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game.