LeBron James and Kyrie Irving were meant to be together.
A map of geotagged Twitter data from over the last month is making the rounds online, and it shows James is the most disliked NBA player in 24 states — making him the "most hated" player overall.
And Irving is right behind him. The enigmatic point guard was the most-disliked player in 18 states. Unsurprisingly, he swept New England.
Irving's vast unpopularity in the six New England states can be attributed to his acrimonious departure from Boston. We know the story, but it's worth repeating, since many in the country do not: Irving promised he would re-sign with the Celtics, and then went back on his word. He inexplicably became scornful and quit on the team in the playoffs.
So yeah, that's why Irving catches our ire. Watching the Nets steamroll the Bucks in the Semifinals hasn't helped matters. (Irving finished with 22 points in Brooklyn's win Monday.)
Aside from New England, Irving is most-loathed in New Jersey and Maryland, as well as Illinois and Colorado. Interestingly enough, James does not receive the most online vitriol in Ohio. That honor belongs to Kevin Durant. He took California as well.
James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Paul George are also on the map, which you can read right here.
