Kyrie Irving's return to Barclays Center brings a mixed bag of his time with Nets
The Mavericks' Kyrie Irving, left, and the 76ers' Jaden Springern, right, vie for the ball during the second half of an NBA game Monday in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Matt Rourke
Kyrie Irving’s return to Brooklyn on Tuesday night wasn’t as complicated as Kevin Durant’s last week. Despite the highs and turmoils of the relationships, it’s very simple to discuss.
When healthy and available, Irving was a great player, as he remains with the Mavericks. But Irving’s baggage made the burden too great and most of the issues in his 3 1⁄2 seasons in Brooklyn were self-inflicted.
The duality was evident when he took the floor at Barclays Center. He signed a quick autograph for a young fan before team warmups. Irving also heard a mix of cheers and boos when he was introduced in the starting lineup.
The Nets didn’t do a tribute video but just showed his face on the Jumbotron with “Welcome Back” along with former Nets Seth Curry and Markieff Morris.
Coach Jacque Vaughn didn’t mention Irving by name when asked about his first game back at Barclays Center, preferring to look ahead to the matchup
“It’s the next game for us and I want our group to be concerned about playing the Dallas Mavericks,” Vaughn said on Monday. “That’s really all I’m concerned about, for us to be able to turn the page and try to get a win.”
Vaughn softened his tone pregame Tuesday by calling Irving a joy to coach and said there’s mutual respect between the two. But his previous responses hinted at the Nets organization looking to move on from an era that was a disappointment and contentious, mostly because of Irving.
Irving tried to downplay the significance of coming back on Monday. While he said there will be extra emotion, he also called it part of the natural business for players facing former teams.
“Yeah, excitement, because I get to play back in Barclays,” Irving told reporters in Philadelphia. “But outside of that, it’s nothing deeper to look into. And I think that we need to do a better job of that, like not making it something else other than sports.”
The problem, of course, was Irving’s issues weren’t just sports. Whether it was becoming a national story for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine or sharing a video on social media that contained antisemitic tropes, Irving caused problems off the court that obscured what he did with the Nets.
Both incidents brought protesters to Barclays Center. Irving’s final act was an off-court issue — a trade request last season that likely pleased all parties involved.
Teammates admired him, but it was clear Irving’s time as a Net needed to end and Irving didn’t look to dwell on the past being more than the past.
“I just think we just need to normalize it. It’s basketball,” Irving told reporters Monday “Fans are gonna be fans. Some people are gonna love you. Some people are gonna not like that you left.”
His controversies rightfully overshadowed the high moments, like his franchise-record 60-point game on March 15, 2022. What fans will remember most is an era that imploded and didn’t reach expectations. They’ll remember Irving’s stubborn refusal to back down after being questioned about the video he posted until he was suspended.
They’ll remember how his personal choice with the vaccine affected others. Yes, he made two All-Star teams, but it only reminded everyone how the Nets didn’t accomplish more after Durant sat out the 2019-20 season recovering from an Achilles injury and Irving played only 20 games because of a shoulder injury.
Yes, he’s better off in Dallas, where the Mavericks entered Tuesday eighth in the Western Conference.
“He’s an unbelievable basketball player and we had some success together,” Vaughn said.
The talent was indeed brilliant but the baggage was too heavy, preventing the Nets from rising to meet their potential.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
