The ending to Game 4 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons was indicative of the series as a whole: generally close, if not extremely so, but with the Pistons coming up just short. Oh, and the whole controversial call at the end of the game thing.
Ultimately, the Cavs swept a series that was a lot more competitive, and more emotional, than the final tally would indicate. This was exemplified by Kyrie Irving taunting Pistons fans after the no-foul call on Reggie Jackson’s would-be game-winning shot. In the video above, Irving can be heard telling Piston’s fans “bye-bye!” as his team celebrated around him.
Seeing as Irving went straight for the stands, too, it’s reasonable to think Irving got more than an earful from the Detroit faithful on Sunday… and most likely well before then, as well. The one thing about game broadcasts is that viewers rarely get even a sliver of a sound of what really transpires between fans and players at the court level. A lot of NSFW things are said among players and fans alike.
If that was the case, does that excuse Irving from going after Detroit’s fans? Not really, given the frequency with which it happens, but this was an emotional series. It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise that Irving unleashed that emotion on someone else. Besides, “bye-bye!” is about the most G-rated thing he could have said anyway.
