Kyrie Irving is no longer playing for the Brooklyn Nets. He plays for the Dallas Mavericks. But he’s still pretty salty about how he’s been treated in the Big Apple.
During Irving’s stellar 36-point performance against his former team, fans yelled at him, asking why he hadn’t played like this when he was with the Nets. Irving simply and directly replied, “Thank you Mayor Adams, brother.”
Irving’s firing at the mayor was in response to Adams’ decision not to allow Irving to attend Nets home games or games in New York because of his decision not to get vaccinated.
Dallas Mavericks No. 2 Kyrie Irving directs plays in the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on March 2, 2023. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The dozens of games Irving missed contributed to a disappointing 2021-2022 season for the Nets and the eventual dissolution of Kevin Durant’s championship-minded team.
Yet, despite all this, Irving insists he’s not clinging to the negative ideas of his New York days.
“I’m not really thinking about it right now,” Irving told reporters. “I feel mostly at peace with what happened and with my time here. I pray for the health of many of you and the many I have had the privilege of getting to know.
“I saw a lot of smiles. You got to make some kids really happy and that’s what this job is about.”
Kyrie Irving receives a mix of boos and cheers during his pregame introductions (boos from Nets fans, cheers from many Mavs fans).
The Nets displayed a graphic on the screen before welcoming Irving, Seth Curry and Markieff Morris. pic.twitter.com/tCzpIbuihJ
— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) February 7, 2024
Irving was booed during player introductions. This reception may have been due to the usual boos that former players receive when they return to play against their old club. Knowing New York, his refusal to get vaccinated may have been the culprit. Or maybe it was because he promoted an anti-Semitic film.
Or, of course, it could have been all of those things.
Either way, Irving and the Mavericks defeated the Nets 119-107.
