Most basketball experts assert that the Brooklyn Nets only agreed to sign Kyrie Irving because Kevin Durant wouldn’t play at Barclays Center without him. It also helps that Irving is widely considered to be the most skilled player in the NBA today and perhaps ever.
“Uncle Drew’s” endless drama, however, has put his career under the microscope. Many are concluding that the trouble he has been bringing is not worth his performance ever since he entered the NBA.
Here’s what Jason McIntyre said about Irving’s career on Colin Cowherd’s podcast:
“You know how many coaches Kyrie Irving has had in his NBA career? Eight in 10 years! They’re calling Kyrie Irving a coach killer. This is the second coach he got fired in Brooklyn.
“This guy’s one of the most overrated players in NBA history. He hit one shot, that’s it, Game 7 against the [Golden State] Warriors.”
In Kyrie Irving’s first three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers before LeBron James returned, the team had 21, 24 and 33 wins, respectively. The Cavs didn’t even sniff the playoffs.
Irving’s success in Cleveland has always been tied to James’ brilliance and leadership. Many have come to associate him with his heroic Game 7 shot against the Golden State Warriors in 2016 as the Cavs lifted the title.
However, even that would not have been possible had James not led the team’s comeback from the brink.
To prove his worth as a franchise cornerstone, Kyrie Irving demanded a trade to get out of LeBron James’ shadow. His tenure with the Boston Celtics started well before he eventually caused trouble. Boston played better without the mercurial point guard, leading him to sign with the Brooklyn Nets.
McIntyre elaborated on his point about Irving’s career:
“Do you know how many MVP votes in his career Kyrie Irving has, just first-place MVP votes? Zero, not one! He’s never finished top 12 in MVP voting. Russell Westbrook has at least an MVP award. Kyrie’s never carried anybody anywhere.”
With the Nets and as Kevin Durant’s co-superstar, Irving has missed more games than he has played. He has also been at the center of one controversy after another.
A healthy Irving played exceptionally well in last season’s playoffs against the Boston Celtics in Game 1. He disappeared, however, the rest of the way, leaving Kevin Durant to helplessly fight the Celtics’ unforgiving physical defense all by himself.
Kyrie Irving’s Brooklyn Nets career could be over
After being lenient with Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets have seemingly had enough following his recent tweet with a link to an anti-Semitic film. They recently released a press statement with the gist being (via Shams Charania on Twitter):
“We are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets. We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures…”
Nets statement on Kyrie Irving: “We are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets. We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures…” https://t.co/Mp682Sck23
The seven-time All-Star refused to categorically deny he had any anti-Semitic beliefs even after being repeatedly asked to explain. He was confrontational and beat around the bush in press conferences when he could have easily and simply said “No” to the allegations.
The Brooklyn Nets had no choice but to suspend him indefinitely without pay unless he fulfilled certain objectives.
The suspension might have finally hit Irving. He very recently issued an apology for what he had done and said over the last couple of days via a social media post. A part of it read:
“To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize.”
Kyrie Irving statement: “To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize.” https://t.co/3dYRHXnIEm
“Uncle Drew” will have to back up his apologies with action or his career with the Brooklyn Nets will effectively be over.