- Mavericks star is on thin ice after exit from Nets
- Irving’s Instagram activity stirs drama among NBA community
- Kyrie’s vaccine comments could jeopardize his future with the Mavs
After years of scandals and drama, Kyrie Irving is skating on thin ice with the NBA community. Dating back to his last days in Cleveland, Irving has been an agent of chaos over the past few years and his latest activity on social media has once against directed criticism of his direction.
In a series of Instagram story posts this week, Irving celebrated the US Open win for tennis star Novak Djokovic, who famously refused to get vaccinated for the Coronavirus.
Kyrie Irving just posted a bunch of Instagram stories – including: pic.twitter.com/FlSvtE1Vsm
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) September 12, 2023
Djokovic was disqualified from participating in events for years before he was finally let back on the court — which is a strikingly similar story to Kyrie Irving, who was banned from suiting up in home games for the Brooklyn Nets. If you remember, Irving was one of the NBA’s most vocal critics against the vaccine, and he spearheaded a campaign that challenged the nationwide vaccination requirements.
While every person and player is free to support their own principles, Irving’s stance against the vaccine was basically like signing a death sentence for the Nets, who were counting on Kyrie to help lead them to success in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Morally speaking, many fans and experts take issue with Irving’s anti-vax stance and his posts on Instagram are only good for feeding the rage machine attached to his name.
NBA Fans Are Gearing Up For More Antics
After Kyrie secured a long-term deal with the Mavericks this past summer, everybody knew it would only be a matter of time before he began sowing discourse. In this case, while Irving didn’t say anything out of bounds, fans expressed concern over what this boldness could mean for the future.
He just sogned a new contract. He upgraded his tinfoil hat over the off season. It’s platinum now.
— Ricardo. (@_notricardo) September 12, 2023
Mavs gon have a rough season
— Basketballismyreligion (@basketballimr) September 12, 2023
https://twitter.com/Sasukes/status/1701677467650646175
Not again pic.twitter.com/iWgeWk8OQg
— Yassine 🥷🏿 (@YassineFutbol) September 12, 2023
Kyrie stay the hell out of politics and play ball
— Nav (@Navtreaks) September 12, 2023
Of course, there were plenty of people who have come to Kyrie’s defense. As one of the most misunderstood players in the NBA, it’s a reasonable position to take that Kyrie’s actions have become too subject to scrutiny.
Media everytime Kyrie posts something: pic.twitter.com/pniOqfW5oI
— Kyrie Center (@kyriecenterig) September 12, 2023
And?? Why are you so obsessed with what Kyrie posts? It's truly embarrassing how you're trying to start a controversy that doesn't exist.
— Samir 🇨🇦 (@Ethiopianlion99) September 12, 2023
Wherever you stand on the issue at hand, it’s inarguable that Kyrie is a magnet for controversy and it could jeopardize the Mavericks’ season things go too far off the rails.
Can Irving Stay Out Of Trouble In Dallas?
After their desperation trade for Kyrie last season, the Mavericks’ future is now almost completely tied to the 1x champion. As good as Luka Doncic has been for them, he cannot get far on his own and we saw that during the 2022-23 season when Doncic was trying to keep the Mavs afloat all by himself. While Irving did join him before the end of the season, it was already too late to turn the situation around.
Heading into this new campaign, the Mavericks are going in with more questions than answers. Can they achieve different results with mostly the same team? Can Luka stay healthy and insert himself in the MVP conversation? Most importantly of all, can Kyrie stay out of trouble when it counts the most?
If he can avoid being a distraction and taking the focus away from basketball, it could result in the turnaround that Dallas is hoping for. If not, it could lead to disaster, which is a situation that Irving knows all too well.
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