BROOKLYN NETS

SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Explains His Dislike for Celtics Fans After Getting Caught Giving the Middle Finger

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The Boston Celtics took game one of their first-round matchups against the Brooklyn Nets on a buzzer beating layup by Jason Tatum. The battle between Kyrie Irving and the Celtics fans could have gotten lost in such a great game.

After hitting a difficult shot over Jaylen Brown late in the third quarter, Irving can be seen flipping the middle finger to fans in the crowd.

After the game, Irving talked about how he felt about the Celtics Fans and how they showed a lack of respect for him and the game of basketball.

“Look, where I’m from, I’m used to all these antics and people being close nearby,” Irving said after scoring a team-high 39 points in 42 minutes. “It’s nothing new when I come into this building what it’s going to be like — but it’s the same energy they have for me, I’m going to have the same energy for them.

“And it’s not every fan, I don’t want to attack every fan, every Boston fan. When people start yelling ‘p—y’ or ‘b—-‘ and ‘f— you’ and all this stuff, there’s only but so much you take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble, take a humble approach, f— that, it’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”

For decades, Boston has been a tough place to play for African American players. Irving was a Celtic for two seasons, and during that time, it was all love. After signing with the Nets two years ago, the disconnect and animosity started to occur.

“I know what to expect in here,” Irving said after Sunday’s game. “And it’s the same energy I’m giving back to them. It is what it is. I’m not really focused on it, it’s fun, you know what I’m saying? Where I’m from I’ve dealt with so much, so coming in here you relish it as a competitor. … This isn’t my first time at TD Garden so what you guys saw, what you guys think is entertainment, or the fans think is entertainment, all is fair in competition.

“So if somebody’s going to call me out on my name, I’m gonna look at them straight in the eye and see if they really ’bout it. Most of the time they’re not.”

Irving put up amazing numbers despite the drama and appears to be willing to be the villain in Boston. Game 2 is set on Wednesday night, right back in Boston.

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SOURCE SPORTS: JAY-Z Sits Courtside as Nets Beat Cavs 115-108

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The Brooklyn Nets put on a show in front of Jay-Z as they beat the Cleveland Cavilers 115-108 last night. Kyrie Irving, the self-proclaimed “basketball savant,” clearly takes that title seriously. He finished by completing a nearly perfect game in the Barclays Center as the Nets secured a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Irving finished made his first 12 shots before a 3-pointer rimmed out in the fourth quarter. He spent 12 for 15 for 34 points and 12 assists.

Bleacher report caught Hov’s facial expression as the Nets put on a show. He dazzled in the first half with 20 points and finished a perfect 9-of-9 from the field. Irving didn’t miss a shot until the 10:09 mark in the fourth quarter, and Jay-Z, the Brooklyn native who once owned a stake in the Nets, enjoyed every moment.

Along with Irving putting up impressive numbers, Kevin Durant nearly matched it. He finished 9-for-16 from the field, and he also went perfect in the first quarter. Durant finished with 25 points and 11 assists.

Darius Garland scored 34 points for the Cavaliers, who have another chance to earn the No. 8 seed. They will host the winner of the Atlanta-Charlotte game on Friday, with the winner moving on to face No. 1 seed Miami.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament

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Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament

After a controversial season filled with injuries and COVID-19 mandates, the Brooklyn Nets clinched the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. With the 7th seed secured, the Nets will host the Cleveland Cavaliers for the right to play the 2nd seeded Boston Celtics.

The loser of the Nets vs. Cavaliers game will host the winner of the Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Hornets game in a win-or-go-home game Friday night, with the victor in that game entering the playoffs against the No. 8 seed and taking on the Miami Heat starting next weekend.

The Nets finished the season winning four straight games to avoid playing the play-in tournament on the road. With a win on Tuesday, the Nets will begin a quest to be the first 7th seed to reach the NBA Finals. With a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the top seeds in the Eastern Conference way do not feel secure with their seedings.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kevin Durant Believes the Thunder and Warriors Should Retire His Jersey Number

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Kevin Durant Enters Seven-Day Quarantine After COVID Exposure

Only thirteen NBA players have had their number retired from multiple teams. Kevin Durant believes he should be number fourteen.

In an interview with The Ringer, the 12-time All-Star said he thinks his jersey should be retired in Oklahoma City and San Francisco. 

“OKC has to retire my jersey,” Durant said. “It wouldn’t even be good for the game of basketball if they didn’t. The same with Golden State. I’m still doing what I’m doing here in Brooklyn, but if I continue on what I’m doing four or five years, then I’ll feel the same way about this program. I better have a home. Because I feel like I am basketball. I breathe it. This is my DNA. I put in the time and respect and love for each one of these programs on and off the floor to get that type of recognition. If I don’t do it, then it’s personal.”

Durant is an all-time great talent on the court. He is entitled to have his opinion and could be on to something here. The Golden State Warriors have already gone on record stating they will eventually retire his number. The Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t gone on records about retiring Durant’s number but should consider it. Durant won his first league MVP while with the Thunder. He helped lead the team to its last NBA Finals appearance in 2012. Will the Thunder eventually retire Durant’s number? Who knows, but the case for doing it is a solid one.

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Brooklyn Nets To Host Inaugural AAPI Heritage Night on March 29

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The Brooklyn Nets will honor Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) before their home game against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Barclays Center. More than 300,000 Asian and Pacific Islander inhabitants live in Brooklyn, and the Nets will pay tribute to the diverse cultures and ethnicities that make up the AAPI community.

The Nets will host an AAPI Night Market presented by Panda Express, the world’s largest American Chinese restaurant brand, on the SeatGeek Plaza at Barclays Center from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, March 28. Panda Express is happy to celebrate AAPI cultural history and, most importantly, support the local community as a family-owned restaurant concept started by Chinese immigrants. Food samples from local Asian eateries will be available, as well as a special performance by Chinese American hip-hop artist Bohan Phoenix. Guests will also have the opportunity to hear from non-profit groups on how they can help the Asian community. Welcome to Chinatown and the culinary heart of the city. The event is free and open to the public, with a special Nets prize for the first 75 attendees.

“The Brooklyn Nets are honored to celebrate the rich cultures and traditions of the AAPI community with two nights of special programming,” said Jackie Wilson, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at BSE Global, parent company of the Nets and Barclays Center. “We know how powerful food can be in creating connections and are excited to host the Night Market featuring cuisine from local Asian restaurants as an extension of our Supplier Diversity Program.”

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The celebrations continue the next night at the Nets game at Barclays Center. House of Slay teamed with the Nets on an exclusive apparel collection to commemorate the team’s first AAPI Heritage Night. Phillip Lim, Prabal Gurung, Laura Kim, Tina Leung, and Ezra William, five renowned members of the New York fashion scene, came together during the pandemic when there was an increase in Asian hate crimes and created an acclaimed digital comic series. House of Slay is a home for everyone, a welcoming environment that celebrates not only its founders’ AAPI history, but also underrepresented voices from all walks of life. Exclusively at Brooklyn Fanatics, the Nets’ team store at Barclays Center, the merchandise collection will be available for purchase.

Fans interested in attending the AAPI Heritage Night game can purchase tickets online at brooklynnets.com or seatgeek.com. For more information about the United Games, visit netsunite.com.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Drops New Career High 60 Against the Magic

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Kyrie Irving is no magician but he pulled out the bag of tricks in last night’s 150-108 blow out victory against the Orlando Magic.

Since Irving is only allowed to play half the time, since he can’t play in home games due to New York’s covid restrictions, we must appreciate what we’re witnessing.

In Kyrie Irving’s last three games, he is averaging 44 points. In his last two games, he scored 50 plus and in his last game he dropped a career high 60! Kyrie manhandled the Magics in the Amway Center.

He scored 41 of his 60 points in the first half. Things got started right away. In 23 first-half minutes, Irving went 14-for-19 from the field, 6-for-7 from beyond the arc and 7-for-7 from the free throw line while adding 3 rebounds and 3 assists. 

Irving finished the game 20-for-31 from the field, 8-for-12 from beyond the arc and 12-for-13 from the free throw line. Along with this being a career high for Irving, he set multiple records in the first-half alone. It was the highest-scoring half of his career and the highest-scoring half for any player this season.

The last player to score as many as Irving in a half was Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, who dropped 51 points in the second half of a March 24, 2017, game against the Boston Celtics. Booker finished that game with 70 points.

Irving’s 41 points is the most one player has scored in one half against the Magic in the franchise’s history. The Nets’ 86 first-half points are also a franchise record. It was also the most the Magic have ever given up in one half.

Kyrie’s Tuesday 60-point performance and Durant’s 53 points in Sunday’s win over the New York Knicks, but the teammates in the record books. They became the first teammates in NBA history to score 50 or more points in back-to-back games.

Kyrie Irving, and the NBA has been on tear as of late. In this month alone, Kyrie 60. Karl Anthony-Towns dropped 60. Lebron James put up 56 and 50 respectively. Jayson Tatum dropped 54. Kevin Durant dropped 53 and Kyrie dropped 50 in his last game.

How can you not appreciate this caliber of basketball? Who’s going to be the next to score big? Let us know what you think.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams Won’t Make Exception For Kyrie Iriving

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams is continuing to say he won’t make an exception for unvaccinated Nets star Kyrie Irving.

Mayor Adams told CNBC rules are rules and that letting Kyrie Irving play home games “would send the wrong message” to the rest of New York City.

Adams has told thousands of municipal employees “no jab, no job” so the way the Mayor sees it, No COVID shot, no court time in Brooklyn.

READ MORE: Adam Silver on NYC mandate keeping Kyrie Irving out of home games.

The mayor’s comments came a day after he released a statement saying the city is looking at March 7th to lift vaccination requirements for indoor dining, fitness centers and entertainment venues.

“I can’t wait to get it done,” Adams said. “I take my hat off to New Yorkers — through masks, vaccines, through social distancing, we were hit with the uncertainty, the fear of COVID. I’m really proud of how we responded as New Yorkers. And every morning I meet with my health professionals. Because I always stated I’m going to follow the science. I’m not going to get ahead of the science, because I’m ready to get ahead of all of this and get back to a level of normalcy.”

“But they’re giving us clear instructions, they’ve given us benchmarks, we’re going to follow those benchmarks. But I look forward in the next few weeks of going through a real transformation — that I don’t have to wonder what you look like … We’re going to get the city back up and operating. And we’re going to be rolling out some things in the next day or so on how we’re going to carry that out.”

Continue the conversation on social media.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kevin Durant and James Harden Reportedly In a “Cold War” Situation After Trade

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James Harden admitted on Tuesday that when he was essentially forcing his way out of Houston at the start of last season, his first choice was to be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers to join up with Joel Embiid and his former general manager with Daryl Morey.  All of this might have been something Kevin Durant might have assumed all along.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, Durant had grown frustrated with Harden this season over his conditioning and an apparent lack of commitment to the Brooklyn Nets.

One source told Fischer that Durant and Harden had a “cold war” this season that made everyone “miserable.”

Durant reportedly held out hope that Harden would become re-engaged. However, according to Fischer, after reports grew louder that Harden wanted a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, Harden reportedly eventually told the Nets he wanted out, and Durant gave the green light to pull the trade.

Fischer quoted a source saying: “Kevin’s the one that pulled the trigger with this. Kevin’s the one that said, ‘Do this deal.’”

It was an unfortunate end of what could have been. Durant, Harden, and Kyrie Irving only played a grand total of 16 games together.

Continue the conversation on social media.

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Jay-Z Grants The World Another Meme-Worthy Moment After His Drink Got Spilled On Him

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For the third consecutive game, Jay-Z could be found courtside at a Brooklyn Nets game, attending the team’s matchup against the Miami Heat, which they lost 93-106. His appearance shouldn’t be a surprise: He’s there often, and he’s also a co-owner of the team. But a funny moment involving him occurred during the game, and thankfully it was caught on camera.

Jay was speaking to someone to the right of him when a woman sat beside him and accidentally spilled his drink on him. A surprised look can be found on his face as he dries himself while the woman celebrates what seemed to be an exciting moment in the game. It turns out the woman in question is Clara Wu Tsai, who is also a co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets as well as a businesswoman, philanthropist, criminal justice activist, and member of Jay’s REFORM Alliance, which he formed with Meek Mill, who was also sitting with them at the game.

Recently Jay-Z and his team Roc organization recently helped raise $1 million to look into a wrongful conviction in Kansas County. He’s also preparing for the release of The Harder We Fall, a film that he executive produced. The soundtrack to the movie will also feature a collaboration between him and Kid Cudi entitled “My Guns Go Bang.”