Feb 5, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) gestures in the direction of fans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Dallas Mavericks at Philadelphia 76ers
NEW YORK — There are many reasons why the Nets super team never lived up to expectations.
The blame could go all around. From the coaching staff to the players to the front office. Everybody is at fault. But the past is that past and we’ve all moved on now, right? Maybe not.
After Kyrie Irving erupted for 36 points in his return to Brooklyn, in a Mavericks win, fans were wondering why he never played like that while he was in a Nets uniform.
Well, we may finally have our answer. At least according flat-earther Kyrie Irving. He’s blaming New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Irving, who was visiting Barclays Center for the first time since he was trade to the Mavericks, was shown on video being heckled by a fan sitting courtside over his inability to “play like this when you were on the Nets.”
“Thank Mayor Adams for that, bro” Irving responded.
Finally. It all makes sense now. We finally know why the Nets never lived up to expectations.
Irving famously feuded with Adams over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate that prevented him from playing home games to start the 2021-22 season. After countless distractions and turmoil within the franchise, the Nets finally allowed Irving to return for road games only as he continued to refuse to get the jab.
We don’t need to revisit the past. Irving had the right to no get the jab, it’s just strange to see him seemingly still hold a grudge.
Maybe the Brooklyn fans chanting “MVP” for Irving’s current teammate Luka Doncic made him extra salty.
Irving explained: “I just think it was time to get my own peace of mind and go somewhere where I was able to thrive, and be in a situation where I didn’t have to worry about kind of behind-the-back talk or the media talk or not knowing how to handle real-life circumstances that has nothing to do with the game of basketball. It has everything to do with how you handle someone as a person,” Irving said to reporters later that night.
“While I was here, I learned a lot of lessons. I’ve made my peace again, like I said, and I just want to move forward.”
