Kyrie Irving returned to Brooklyn on Tuesday night and delivered an impressive performance, scoring 36 points in the Dallas Mavericks’ 119-107 victory over the Nets. This left many fans questioning why Irving couldn’t replicate this level of play during his time with the Nets. One fan sitting courtside even had the opportunity to ask Irving this very question during a break in the game.
Irving attributed his lackluster performance with the Nets to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. He sarcastically thanked Mayor Adams for the restrictions that prevented him from playing in the team’s home games at the beginning of the 2021-22 season due to his decision not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The city had implemented a mandate that prohibited unvaccinated players from participating in games held in Brooklyn and Manhattan at Madison Square Garden.
Despite the controversy surrounding Irving’s vaccination status, his statement raises a valid point. The restrictions imposed by Mayor Adams and the city limited Irving’s participation, causing him to only play in a handful of regular season home games and two home playoff games before the Nets were eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
Irving’s inconsistent presence in the Nets’ lineup undoubtedly disrupted the team’s rhythm and hindered their ability to establish consistency. While many placed the blame on Irving, it is worth considering the role played by Mayor Adams and the city’s restrictive mandate, which hindered individuals from carrying out their professional duties.
Mark is a versatile sports journalist with a keen interest in golf. He holds a journalism and online media degree from the University of Tennessee, although he leaves it up to others to judge his mastery. When he’s not working, you’ll likely find him on the golf course.