![]() ![]() This of course has the potential to make the knucklehead fan looking for 15 minutes of fame even more emboldened to verbally attack him knowing he'll likely respond. Just as surprising is the fact that Irving seems taken aback by the level of trash talk that has come his way in Boston, a city that has a well-earned reputation for being tough on opponents-especially those that left the city under less-than-ideal circumstances, which is indeed the case with Irving. ![]() KYRIE IRVING STTS CRACKIn January, the NBA along with the NBPA released the top jersey sales for the first half of the season, and Irving didn't even crack the top 15.) Irving has been in the top 10 among NBA jersey sales every year since 2014, peaking at No. (It's particularly noticeable when it comes to jersey sales. Sunday's antics and comments were another reputation and credibility hit for Irving, who is already dealing with a noticeable dip in popularity. Those engagements included both verbal (Warning: strong language) and non-verbal exchanges that will prove costly in some form, for Irving. And more recently, Irving's very public exchanges-yes, plural not singular-with Celtics fans during Boston's Game 1 win over the Nets on Sunday.His absence was a factor in Brooklyn's struggles and played at least a small part in perennial All-Star James Harden demanding a trade. KYRIE IRVING STTS PROFESSIONALIrving's refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which led to him missing games this season because of the then-New York City vaccination mandate for local professional athletes and performers.Demanding a trade from Cleveland in 2017 after coming up short in the NBA Finals to Golden State, a decision that reportedly caught LeBron James-someone Irving had said he was close to shortly before asking to be traded-off guard.But in a separate interview with UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, Irving said that he had done his own research and concluded there was no "real" picture of Earth. Proclaiming the Earth is flat, only to later say it was all an "exploitation tactic" to have a broader, thought-provoking conversation.Yet still, there seems to be a baffling void of self-awareness of his own reputation, whose brand centers around peace, love and faith. At the heart of the issue: When should players be forgiven for responding to heckling fans, especially those of Irving's stature, a seven-time All-Star revered by millions?įor Irving to be at the epicenter of controversy should come as no surprise. The entire situation has opened up a Pandora's Box of questions and concerns that the NBA would rather avoid. ![]() So what should give him reason to pause next time? He may find out in tonight's Game 2 first-round playoff game against Boston's new sixth man, the fans, who clearly own some of Irving's focus. Will the fine be a deterrent and make Irving think twice before engaging fans who heckle him? I know what to expect here and it's the same energy I'm giving back to them." "We're the ones expected to be docile and be humble and take a humble approach. "I don't want to attack every fan-every Boston fan-but when people start yelling, 'p-y, b-h and f-k you' and all this stuff, there's (only) so much you can take as a competitor," Irving told reporters after the loss. Irving’s next chance to bounceback comes Sunday evening against Russell Westbrook’s Washington Wizards.It would be understandable to empathize with Irving's defense. Irving did, however, grab 11 boards against the Hawks, marking the eighth points-rebounds double-double of his NBA career tonight, his second points-rebounds double-double as a member of the Nets (11/2/19 against the Detroit Pistons). Irving’s greatest struggles came from beyond the arc, where he only went 2-for-11 - after going 0-for-7 from deep to start Wednesday’s game against Atlanta. For the first time this season, Brooklyn’s star guard scoring under 25 points, finishing with 18 on 6-for-21 shooting. Irving had no such luck in Friday’s repeat matchup against Trae Young and company. ![]() That was in large part due to his eruption in the fourth quarter, during which he scored 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting (3-for-4 from deep) to finish 10-for-27 from the floor (3-for-11 from deep). Kyrie Irving had a rough shooting night on Wednesday in the Brooklyn Nets’ game against the Atlanta Hawks, but he still wound up with 25 points in the win. ![]()
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