Kyrie Irving started his first season with the Brooklyn Nets in spectacular fashion, scoring 50 points in the opening game of the season, but according to an ESPN report, Nets officials are already starting to have concerns about their volatile new star’s temperament. A long feature on the Nets from Jackie MacMullan included the following revelation from Nets team sources.
Via ESPN.com:
Yet Irving’s infamous mood swings, confirmed by his ex-teammates, which followed him from Cleveland to Boston to Brooklyn, are the unspoken concern that makes Nets officials queasy. When Irving lapses into these funks, he often shuts down, unwilling to communicate with the coaching staff, front office and, sometimes, even his teammates. Nets team sources say one such episode occurred during Brooklyn’s trip to China, leaving everyone scratching their heads as to what precipitated it. There’s hope that Durant will be able to coax his friend into a better frame of mind.
The Nets denied that there is any issue with Irving, and when asked about the report on Wednesday, Irving said he’s not concerned about being “perfect” for the media and fans.
“You can continue to ask other people around me about what they think about me and continue to write about mood swings. You know, human beings have mood swings. Like, you go home and you’re not happy with things, or you’re mad at something, or you’re happy. That’s a mood swing. It’s OK to be human. I don’t have to be perfect for anyone here, nor do I have to be perfect for the public. I’m not here to dispel any perception. I’m just here to be myself.”
Nets star Kevin Durant joined ESPN’s First Take on Thursday and also addressed the report, and said that Irving hasn’t caused any issues with his teammates.
“As his teammate, I mean, there’s no problems at all. Absolutely none. Comes into work every day, works hard. Great teammate. Talks to everybody. He’s having a great time…. You guys don’t like him. It’s simple. He presents no problems.”
