Shumpert attempts to explain Kyrie's 'last shot' comment

Iman Shumpert thinks people have it wrong when it comes to the relationship between his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

While many interpreted Irving's recent comments about feeling obligated to trust teammates to be a slight against James, Shumpert insists the point guard was simply complimenting Kevin Durant.

"The compliment is more to say KD is somebody that I trust 'cause I know, if it's in his hands, he's gonna get a shot up. He's gonna shoot it. You know what I'm saying? You can just sort of trust it," Shumpert said during a recent appearance on Complex's "Load Management" podcast.

He added, "People are just going to forever think that they (James and Irving) taking shots at each other, and it's sad because though they can't be on the same team, I don't think it's like that.

"There's nothing wrong with somebody not wanting to play with somebody because they feel like that's the best. 'He's the best, I want to beat him.' What the hell's wrong with that?"

Irving told Durant on "The ETCs with Kevin Durant" podcast recently that he felt guilty in the past for not taking the final shot in a game.

"I want this game-winning shot, but also you want to trust your teammates," Irving said. "Not that I didn't trust my teammates, but I felt like I was the best option."

Irving later denied the comments were about James and questioned why they were being pitted against each other.