Irving wrote this in December 2008, upon transferring to St. Patrick High in Elizabeth, N.J.: The lights are on, baby. Time to show the world what you’re really about and who the best is in the country. This was from June 2009, amid a pivotal AAU summer: I’m going to make it, even if I have to run through a ton of walls … F– being friends. I’m going to destroy these dudes. More recently, in November 2012: Unleash everything you have and never look back. You are the best point guard in this league, so act like it. Let’s go.
“It is,” Irving admits, scrolling through the notes, “kind of funny to read these now.”
My girl gifted me the “Dreamville Crew” beanie for Christmas. I’m treating it like you hand-stitched it yourself. I am a freshman at UCSB studying Chemical Engineering and working an internship with a nonprofit called Unite to Light. Needless to say, I spend a lot of time grinding at the desk in my dorm room. Every day as I work, I play your music with my door wide open, and I swear you can visually see ears perk up as people walk by. Thank you for putting out great, motivating stuff for me to listen to, everyday, for the last several years. Your music has been a large part of my journey this far. Thank you. I hope you change the world on the 28th.
-JG
The world we be changed February 28th.
The world will be changed February 28th.