Celtics Guard Kyrie Irving Not Bothered By Collin Sexton Choosing To Wear No. 2 With Cavs

Sometimes, it’s more than a number. Oftentimes, it isn’t that big of a deal.

Many have spent countless hours arguing the morality of the Cleveland Cavaliers gifting first-round selection Collin Sexton the No. 2 jersey to wear. That number was last donned by Kyrie Irving, who was a huge fan favorite in Cleveland from 2011-17. Irving hit the biggest shot in Cavaliers history in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals and left a significant mark on the franchise during his six seasons in Cleveland.

But that apparently doesn’t phase Irving, who appears unbothered by the notion. While speaking with reporters during a Q&A in Manhattan, New York, Irving responded to a question surrounding Sexton and the jersey.

“Go ahead, do what you do. He wanted to wear the number, let him wear the number. It doesn’t matter,” Irving told the media on Monday.

The story is probably going to the number. But I’m more excited about who [Sexton] is as a player in the league. The number thing is like, just chalk that up to the game. It’s cool. It’s no hard feelings from my end. He just has to start at the chopping block just like everyone else did. So I’m excited for him.”

Irving cannot wear the No. 2 jersey with Boston. It’s retired in honor of the historic mastermind that was Red Auerbach. And who knows if he even intends on wearing the “2” across his chest again during his NBA career.

But Sexton being the next player to wear the jersey number shows how eager the Cavs are to create history without Irving due to the last year of controversy between the two sides. They want their first-round pick to be the next face of the franchise, whenever that may be. Just like they wanted Irving to be when he wore that number in town.