Kyrie Irving might be one of the most talented players in the NBA, but the guard has often been known for his antics off the court. While he might put up some magical performances with his incredible ball-handling skills, Irving often makes the headlines for other reasons.
Irving’s time in the Brooklyn Nets has been the perfect representation of a double-edged sword. While there were moments where the Nets looked unstoppable with Irving and Kevin Durant leading the way, perhaps the most challenging moments for the franchise in the last two years were the time when the guard could not even play half of the games due to COVID protocols.
Given how dicey Irving has been in terms of his professionalism, analyst Chris Broussard thinks that the 2016 champion’s future in the NBA might be uncertain. In a recent episode of “The Odd Couple” podcast, Broussard claimed that teams might be unwilling to offer Irving a massive contract once he is a free agent.
“You thinking logic, you can’t assume Kyrie’s going to think logically. But if Kyrie ever wants a bag again, he’s gotta come out and play not only well but show up on time. Be professional, be a good soldier, be a good teammate.”
“And even then, there’s no guarantee he’s gonna get that bag. ‘Cause a lot of teams will look at it like, ‘Yeah, he’s on a contract year. He’s only doing that to get the bag. What’s he gonna do when he gets a four-year deal?’”
Broussard certainly raises a fair point about Irving’s questionable professionalism. In his career so far, Irving has had a fallout with each team he has played with. But on his day, hardly any player can go blow for blow against the former Cleveland Cavaliers guard.
But given the talent that the 30-year-old brings to the table, Irving’s addition makes a contender a championship favorite instantly. Not only that, but the 7-time All-Star has also proven himself on the biggest stage of them all, the NBA Finals.
Dealing with a personality like Kyrie Irving might be a task, but if a team can keep his off-the-court activities in check, the guard is well worth the risk.
