Kyrie Irving denied criticizing LeBron James after saying he finally has a teammate he trusts in Nets colleague Kevin Durant.
Irving and Durant teamed up in Brooklyn ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season, though the latter is yet to play since his blockbuster switch from the Warriors because of an Achilles injury.
A 2016 NBA champion alongside James with the Cavaliers, Irving caused a stir during his appearance on Durant's new podcast.
Addressing crunch-time situations and clutch moments, Irving — who arrived from the Celtics via free agency — said: "One thing I've always been comfortable with, I felt like I was the best option on every team I played for down the stretch.
"This is the first time in my career I've looked down and be like, 'That motherf—er can make that shot, too. And he'll probably do it a lot easier.'
"It's not so much deferring, because in past situations where I didn't take the last shot I felt guilty. I want this game-winning shot, but also you want to trust your teammates. Not that I didn't trust my teammates, but I felt like I was the best option."
Many perceived Irving's comments as a dig at three-time NBA champion James, who is trying to win his fourth title via the Lakers this season.
Irving and James spent three years together before the No. 1 pick opted to leave for the Celtics in 2017.
After receiving backlash, Irving addressed his comments in a video via social media, saying: "Why must it always be brother against brother? Why? If I'm addressing anyone, I'll say their name.
"Come on, don't listen to the false narratives. Let people live their lives. It's just a game. Talk about the art, talk about the sport, we talk openly and freely. But because we live in clickbait society, it becomes something bigger.
"You don't have to defend it. It's just what media is. It's entertainment. I'm not going to let it put me against anybody anymore at any point. That's not what it's about. We talk freely, openly and that's our society. Say how you feel. Don't have to put me against anyone else. It's never been about that, it's about love."
During the podcast, Irving and Durant also discussed new Nets coach Steve Nash.
Nash, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, has taken his first steps into coaching, hired by the Nets to permanently replace Kenny Atkinson despite the lack of experience.
Irving said: "I don't really see us having a head coach. KD could be a head coach, I could be a head coach [some days]."
Durant previously worked with Nash for three seasons with the Warriors, where the latter was a player consultant.
"I think having Steve there and collaborating with our floor general every day is only going to yield good results for our scorers like myself and Taurean [Prince], Caris [LaVert] and Spencer [Dinwiddie]," Durant said. "Them having that relationship I think is going to be key for us going forward.
"I think a lot of people may question our leadership, overall or just us two. But when me and Ky talked about being coached every single day, I think that's leading by example and I think a lot of our teammates are going to follow that."