After missing months of the 2021-22 season, Kyrie Irving finally made his season debut on Wednesday, putting on an impressive performance after months of inactivity.
You see, Irving was only missing time due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite being perfectly healthy and capable, Kyrie was disqualified to play per Brooklyn’s health and safety protocols.
After originally deciding to deny Irving permission to act as a ‘part-time’ player, the Nets reconvened later in the season to reverse that decision.
Now, he’s only allowed to play in road games only, a taboo and unprecedented situation for the league.
While some are thrilled to see Uncle Drew back on the court, others are feeling less enthusiastic about the circumstances of his return. Charles Barkley, for example, spoke out against his part-time status in a segment on TNT’s Inside the NBA.
“If you want to make a political point which is silly and stupid and not get vaccinated, that’s fine. But I don’t think it’s fair.
We’re on every night except Friday during the playoffs. If I said ‘you know what, I’m not gonna work on the weekend’ I don’t think that’s fair to you guys. So to me, I have an issue with the entire thing.
Kyrie is a heck of a player but to only play in road games, I don’t think it’s fair to the game. More importantly, I don’t think it’s fair to the team.”
Barkley isn’t the only one who is critical of the move. Shaquille O’Neal recently threw some shade at the nets for letting him play.
“I hate when people make a big stand about what they gonna do. ‘Oh Kyrie if you not all in don’t even come,” the Big Diesel said on ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq.’
“The Brooklyn Nets organization, ‘oh if you won’t be all in, blah blah blah blah blah, don’t even come around. Now, since the covid come up and a couple of guys are out, oh, we’ll let you play Mr. Kyrie. You can do this Kyrie, you can do that Kyrie. I don’t respect that.”
“They panicked for no reason. They sound like they are No. 7 in the league. You in first place, dummies. You don’t need him.”
Chuck gets real on Kyrie’s return 👀 pic.twitter.com/izXLK0pLNr
— Fadeaway World (@FadeawayWorld) January 7, 2022
Despite all the controversy that often comes with Kyrie, the guy has proven his worth time and time again. A 7x All-Star, 3x All-NBA player, and 1x NBA Champion, he has achieved many things over his career and continues to be recognized as one of the best scorers in basketball.
The big question for him now is if he can find consistency while playing only road games. Now, and especially in the playoffs, it could prove difficult to stay on track when you’re sitting out half of your team’s games.
Nevertheless, having him there is better than not having him at all and the Nets have to hope it will be enough to bring them a Championship this season.
