The night the Nets lost 119-107 to the Mavericks, the night Kyrie Irving scored 36 points, fans wondered why Irving hadn’t played like that while in Brooklyn.
In fact, they asked Irving to his face why, and the former Nets star said he could blame one man: New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Irving, who visited the Barclays Center for the first time since being traded to the Mavericks last February, was jeered by fans sitting courtside, saying, “You couldn’t play like this when you were with the Nets.” The incident was captured on video.
After a fan asked the question a second time, Irving responded, “Thank you Mayor Adams, brother.”
The audience member, who was recording video on his cell phone, was unimpressed with the answer and retorted, “Oh, come on.”
Irving famously sparred with Adams over the city’s previous COVID-19 vaccination mandate, which caused him to miss a home game to start the 2021-22 season, but ultimately the Nets After continuing to refuse the jab, Irving was eventually allowed to return only for road games. .
The point guard was able to put in an impressive performance on the road, but an ever-changing Nets lineup, plus the constant distraction of questions about Irving, meant Brooklyn was trying to find some consistency. hurt.
Adams will prevent Irving from suiting up at Barclays Center until March 2022, when Hizzoner lifts the private sector mandate barring unvaccinated professional athletes from competing in the city. He continued to reject any amendments to vaccine mandates.
The vaccine issue is just one of many controversies during Irving’s time with the Nets, including inconsistent availability and the release of a movie full of anti-Semitic tropes. It also included promotion on social media.
He was greeted with a mix of boos and cheers before Tuesday night’s game and when a welcome-home graphic that also featured Seth Curry and Markieff Morris appeared at Barclays Center when he was announced to be in the starting lineup. Ta.
It was a stark contrast to the reception former Nets star Kevin Durant received when the Suns arrived in Brooklyn last week.
Irving posted on X He appears to be addressing some of the negative things that happened during his first visit to Barclays Center on Tuesday night.
“Thank you, God, for everything. We must maintain calm amidst the chaos and hatred. The next generation is watching,” Irving wrote.
Irving re-signed with the Mavs this offseason, signing a three-year deal worth $126 million.
He is averaging 25.1 points and 5.4 assists this season, shooting 47.5 percent from the field.
