Kyrie Irving returned to the Brooklyn Nets after two weeks away from the team and addressed the media for the first time since taking a leave of absence.
Irving missed a total of seven games, including five for personal reasons and two for conditioning. He lost nearly $ 817,000 in salary while quarantined for two games, as ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted. The NBA also fined Irving $ 50,000 for violating the league’s health and safety protocols after videos surfaced of him attending a family party.
What made the Brooklyn star leave the team?
“There were a lot of family and personal things going on,” Irving said without revealing more details. “So I just want to leave it at that.”
While his response left more to be desired by reporters and the public, Irving addressed his absence privately to the Nets organization and his teammates, the coach said. Steve Nash.
“I think Ky is working very hard mentally to put himself in a great position to perform,” said Nash. “I am proud of him for the effort he puts in there.”
After Tuesday’s practice, Irving and Nash both called the return “ exciting. ” The six-time All-Star was not listed on the injury report for Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and will then make his return.
Ahead of his expected return, Irving recognized some personal issues during his time away from the team and sought help.
“I’m just being honest here,” Irving said. “It was a lot of balance, and now I’ve called for help, and now I have so many mentors and so many people reaching out and taking things off my plate that never belonged to me in the first place.”
After his availability in the media, Irving posted one expressed disappointment around Irving’s absence, he said the organization would support its star player, and they did, according to Irving.
“It’s been great,” said Irving. “It’s been enough support for me to feel like they have my back, and that’s all I can ask for, not just because I’m supporting myself but my family as well. I’m a kid from a hometown, so it’s a little bit different when family and personal things happen, and it’s up to me to handle that as a man. I just take full responsibility for my actions with the guys and just had a conversation with each of them, and we’ll move on. “
As Irving reintegrates himself into the Brooklyn herd, he will do so with a new teammate, James Harden. So far Harden and his former teammate Kevin Durant fit together well. The jury is out on whether Irving and Harden can coexist in the backcourt, as both players are used to being primary playmakers.
“It’s just really exciting to be able to play with great players who have just been here in the league for a while and who have gone through ups and downs, peaks and troughs,” said Irving. “James is on par with us in terms of experience. Adding that to our dressing room will be great for us. “
Irving’s return is an opportunity to show that he can adjust his play as a scorer of the ball and answer any questions about his commitment to his teammates and basketball from outside the organization.
“What’s interesting to see when you take a break is that there are so many assumptions about what’s going on, and so many people feel like they know me best,” said Irving. “They have no idea who I am, or what I stand for, or what I stand for, or even trying to take the time, or even for me to invite them to take the time, so it’s a two-way street. When things get overwhelming in life, you just need to step back and realize what’s important. I like playing. It has never been a question. I committed myself when this wasn’t even for me. I didn’t really care about media. I didn’t really care about the fandom. All I cared about was the ethics of the game and learning the basics. “
Irving, who grew up for the Nets in New Jersey, apologized to fans for his absence and emphasized to fans his dedication to winning a title and improving the community.
“I started out as a fanatic,” explained Irving. “I started as a fan. I have been invested in this organization since I was a child. Now that I am in this role as a player there is quite a difference. The fans out there, I also want to apologize to them. My commitment has always been to bring something special to Brooklyn. It wasn’t just a championship. It was unity. It was equality. It’s just bigger things than just the game itself. At first it took a long time and quite a few valleys to get back home. So for me I just take every day, just grateful. But for the casual or the fanatical, it is part of our culture. I am back again. I am happy to be back. We have some great pieces, and we just move on, and I let my actions and my playing speak for themselves, as I intended to do. I just needed a break. “
Some speculated that part of the “break” Irving needed was about concerns about social justice and politics.
“With everything that is happening in the world, politically, socially, it’s hard to ignore,” admitted Irving. “I want to make changes every day. There are so many oppressed communities and so many things bigger than just a ball going into the rim. “
During his career, Irving has given back to the community in a variety of ways, including the purchase of a home for George Floyd’s family, and $ 1.5 million in WNBA salaries to supplement the income of players who have emerged from the bubble. withdrawn due to coronavirus concerns or social justice reasons, and donate to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and more than $ 300,000 and 250,000 meals to Feeding America.
“For me, it’s just the balance of it, knowing that I can delegate my responsibilities out of court to people around me who are in favor of fighting behind the scenes and at the front of the lines,” said Irving. ‘I’m not the only one who fights. I am grateful to be able to unite with others. That’s all I’m trying to do. On the track the same way. Play with a smile, leave something that I have felt very dear to this game. Whatever my legacy afterward as a person, that’s all I really care about. “
You can follow Michael Scotto on Twitter: @MikeAScotto