Getty Kyrie Irving reacts to a call against the Miami Heat
Kyrie Irving has been the subject of heavy criticism as of late for a number of things. The Brooklyn Nets star missed several games earlier this month and was allegedly out at what appeared to be a get together during that time, among a host of other things. Irving was fined $50,000 for violating the NBA’s coronavirus health and safety protocols, as the New York Times detailed.
But his talent is undeniable on the basketball court.
The Nets point guard is currently averaging 29.3 points, 5.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals for a 10-8 team that currently sits in fifth place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings.
Are Criticisms of Kyrie Irving Warranted?
Cuffs The Legend, a close friend of LeBron James and basketball trainer based in North Carolina, spoke about Irving and the criticism surrounding him.
“They give Kyrie Irving a hard time because he’s so f**king talented, man,” Cuffs The Legend told me on the Scoop B Radio Podcast.
He then proceeded to compare Irving’s situation to Chris Brown by offering an interesting take.
“It’s like the Chris Brown thing. You know how talented Chris Brown is and you remember when he went through his crackhead phase right before our eyes? It’s like, damn man, stop doing drugs and make the music and give the people what they want! Show us your talent! And with Kyrie Irving, I think we as fans want to see his talent. Stop all the bull jive. Just play basketball.”
Cuffs The Legend Discusses Frustration With Retired NBA Players
Just last week, Cuffs The Legend discussed his frustration with retired NBA players like Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal who criticize today’s crop of NBA players like Irving, Kevin Durant, and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell.
Million Dollar Question: How can Kyrie Irving eliminate criticism?
“Honestly, I think that Kyrie Irving’s legacy is already cemented,” Cuffs The Legend told Scoop B Radio.
“I don’t think that he has anything to prove anymore. So there’s no pressure on Kyrie Irving. There’s no pressure on him. Like, he left LeBron – like, he left for a great situation so that should already show that he doesn’t want to win championships. It’s not about winning, and he showed us that. We didn’t have to go figure it out. Kyrie showed the whole basketball world that he’s about maybe investing in sage or starting a hemp farm… I don’t know man. I don’t know if he loves basketball, Scoop. I don’t know if he loves the game.”
The Nets still need a dominant big man. Names like the Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love and another option to add length to the frontcourt in JaVale McGee are believed to be in the mix.
Brooklyn Nets have interest in BOTH Kevin Love & JaVale McGee per a Nets source.
Nets’ Kevin Love interest is real as first reported by @JDumasReports.
Cavs are also fielding offers for Andre Drummond pear Cavs source & at least two teams have interest in the big man.
Be that as it may, the Nets are looking good these days on paper with the addition of James Harden, who was added via trade from the Houston Rockets.
Evaluating the Kyrie Irving, James Harden & Kevin Durant Trio
Among the many other topics discussed, Cuffs The Legend offered his thoughts on the new-look Nets and their “Big Three” of Irving, Harden and Durant.
“I want to see it work,” Cuffs The Legend said.
“I want to see those guys work. I want to see those guys play well. I want to see those guys get to the Finals and play for the ultimate prize but, I want to see the BEST teams play each other; and that’s the keyword: teams. And I just don’t think those guys in Brooklyn are a team. They’re an AAU team that you put together on the weekend and say, “Go out there and win us the National AAU Championship!” These guys don’t know each other; he’s from over there, he’s from somewhere and he dribbles a lot, and he dribbles a lot and he wants to take all the shots, so let’s D up and play basketball.”
“It doesn’t work like that. And you and I both know that the Lakers are a BASKETBALL team. They have all the components, all the congruent pieces and I just think that they’re a better basketball team. I think the Brooklyn Nets are going to have some slight struggles and I think that their talent is going to get them past certain teams but, I do think that when it comes down to Boston, Philly, and Brooklyn, it’s going to be the usual suspects this year.”
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