Kyrie Irving

SOURCE SPORTS: Nike Cuts $11M Deal With Kyrie Irving Following Anti-Semitism Accusations

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Several reports have confirmed that Nike has severed all business partnerships with NBA star Kyrie Irving, just one month following his Nike contract’s “suspension,” which stemmed from a perceived anti-Semitic video reposted by the Nets star on social media.

With Irving offering no apology for posting the video, his suspended contract with Nike was paired with a suspension from the Brooklyn Nets. Nike also decided to shelf the release of its signature shoe, the Kyrie 8.

The sides have parted ways one month after Nike suspended its relationship with the Nets star. Sports reporter Shams Charania tweeted, “Kyrie Irving is no longer a Nike athlete, Nike spokesperson says. Irving has one of the most popular signature shoes in the NBA and is now a sneaker free agent.”

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Kyrie Irving Gives Ben Simmons Some Words Of Encouragement

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Ben Simmons is currently practicing with the Brooklyn Nets at training camp this week, and so far, he has impressed his teammates, as well as his head coach. It is clear that Simmons wants to get back to the court, and he is doing everything he can to make sure he proves the detractors wrong this season.

According to Sports Illustrated, Kyrie Irving has been taking notice of Simmons, and he is a firm believer that Simmons can be a huge factor for the Nets this season. In fact, when asked about his role, Irving believes Simmons could be placed anywhere on the court and still thrive.

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“Anything’s possible,” Irving said. “He [Simmons] has that ‘it’ inside of him so now we just have to slowly develop him where he knows that he can just go out there and be himself. We want him to be his highest potential of himself as a player, be able to accomplish things out on the floor that he wasn’t able to do the last few years. And just have some fun being at peace around him.”

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If the Nets don’t fall into any bad habits, they could very well have an incredible season. Hopefully, that is the case as Nets fans cannot go through another year of dysfunction.

Stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the NBA.

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Kyrie Irving Responds To Reports That He Demanded Not To Play More Than 60 Games A Season

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Kyrie Nets

In the latest in the ongoing contract dispute between Kyrie Irving and the Nets, NBA insider Ric Bucher shared on Wednesday, the point guards list of demands for his 2022-2023 season contract.

In a recent episode of the On The Ball podcast, Bucher said that contract talks have stalled after Kyrie demanded that he not play more than 60 games in the season and not play back to back games, citing them as “inhumane”

 Joe Tsai has already shown he’s willing to play hardball with Kyrie by taking a max extension off the table almost immediately,” Bucher said. “Now, part of that may be Kyrie’s doing. I’m told he wanted his new contract to guarantee he wouldn’t have to play more than 60 games in a season and would not have to play any back-to-backs, which he apparently referred to as inhumane.”

After the news spread of Irving’s demands, he took to Twitter to directly respond to the report with a GIF of GIF of former Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain tipping his hat to the crowd.

In a later tweet Kyrie blamed the media for controlling people’s subconscious thoughts and emotions.

“When you’re ready to Break free from the media’s control over your subconscious thoughts and emotions, meet me on One of my platforms and let’s chop it up,” Kyrie tweeted. “We are A11Even tribe love our conversations about the TRUTH and what is truly happening. Welcome to the PARADIGM SHIFT.”

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Chooses to Opt-in for $37 Million Player Option With the Brooklyn Nets

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Despite rumors circulating about Kyrie possibly going to the Lakers, on Monday, it was announced that he would be returning for the Nets’ 2022-2023 season after opting in for his $37 million player option.

NBA insider Shams Charania made the announcement on Twitter.

“Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is opting into his $37 million player option for the 2022-23 season, @TheAthletic@Stadium has learned. Irving is bypassing on multiple opt-in and trade scenarios to fulfill his four-year commitment to the Nets and Kevin Durant,” Shams tweeted.

“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow,” Irving said, per Charania. “I’ve made my decision to opt-in. See you in the fall.”

This comes after the Nets did not want to sign Kyrie to a long-term contract due to him missing over half of the 2021-2022 season over his unwillingness to get vaccinated and “unpredictable injury history.” The Nets front office apparently was going to offer the 7-time all-star a 5-year, $250 million contract.

Just last week Charania stated that Kyrie was most likely going to opt in for his player option, and explore a trade after.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Lakers Are The “Most Significant Threat” To Acquire Kyrie Irving If He Leaves Brooklyn, According To Report

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Kyrie Irving Says He Understood Nets Decision to Play Without Him

It seems Kyrie’s time with the Brooklyn Nets is coming to an end as the superstar is looking to head to another team in the offseason. In a new report from Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are reportedly “the most significant threat” to acquire Kyrie if he decides to leave the Nets.

According to Wojnarowski, the Lakers can’t afford to pay Kyrie a max contract, but he’ll get to play with his former teammate LeBron James. Doing this, Kyrie would have to take a significant pay cut.

With the way the Lakers roster is already set up, Irving would be taking a $30 million pay cut to play with the team. He has a player option worth $36 million for the 2022-23 season and in order to join the Lakers, Irving would have to turn that down and sign a $6 million taxpayer exemption with the Lakers.

“Now, the Lakers are considered the most significant threat right now for Kyrie Irving, but that would essentially entail him taking $30 million less than he can opt into in Brooklyn,” Woj reported. “There’s a $6 million taxpayer exemption he can sign with the Lakers.”

While it seems unlikely that Kyrie will take that significant of a pay cut, the Nets point guard has reportedly been in contact with LeBron as of recent, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. However, if Kyrie does agree to opt-in, he could be a part of a trade that could include Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook going to the Nets.

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SOURCE SPORTS: 3 Reasons Why the Brooklyn Nets Are Home Early From the NBA Playoffs

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Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament

From projected NBA champions to a first-round sweep, the Brooklyn Nets season is over. The Boston Celtics swept the Nets in 4 games in the NBA playoffs first round. The Nets were the only team to be swept in the first round of the playoffs. Here are three reasons why the Nets are off to Cancun.

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Lack Of Chemistry

The Net’s lack of playing time together finally showed its ugly head going up against a Celtics core that has been playing ball together for several years. The Nets were without Kyrie Irving for most of the season at home, and Kevin Durant missed significant time with a knee injury. The two All-Stars didn’t get time to gel much this season.

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James Harden Factor

Midway last season, the Nets formed a big three by acquiring Harden, who, midway through this season, already had a change of heart that led him to Philadelphia. To first get Harden, the Nets had to give up many assets for him, and when they traded him, they were stuck with a disgruntled Ben Simmons.

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Lack Of Size

The Nets are a small team, and the Celtics took every advantage of it. The Celtics outrebounded the Nets, bullied the Nets, and out-hustled the Nets for four straight games. Durant and Irving were harassed and contested on every possession, and many turnovers both stars had shown.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Fined $50K for Flipping the Bird at Celtics Fans During Game 1

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Kyrie Irving knew he would be hit with a hefty fine for giving the Boston Celtics fans the double bird during game 1 of the NBA playoffs. Well, the league hit the Brooklyn Nets point guard in the pockets. The NBA has fined Irving $50k for his actions toward the fans Sunday afternoon.

“The same energy they have for me, I’m going to have for them,” Irving said following the game. “And it’s not every fan. I don’t want to attack every Boston fan, but when people start yelling “p****” and “b****” and “f*** you” and all of this, there’s only so much you can take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble and take a humble approach. No. F*** that. It’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”

Heading into tonight’s game 2 with the Nets trailing in the series 1-0, it will be interesting to see if Irving will continue to stand by his word to give the Celtics fans the same energy again.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Lebron James on Kyrie Irving: “Damn Shame He Ain’t Top 75!”

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The Los Angeles Lakers are at home for the NBA Playoffs this year, affording LeBron James the opportunity to watch talent across the league on the highest stage. One of which is his old teammate Kyrie Irving, who is now suiting up for the Brooklyn Nets and playing against his former team the Boston Celtics.

After a stellar 39-point effort, James reflected on the NBA 75 list from earlier this year and wondered how was Irving not a part of the historical run of names. James would retweet DJ Steph Floss and add in his opinion, “Damn shame he ain’t Top 75!”

Earlier in the game, King James had more praise for his former point guard: “Young God-rie is so damn good at basketball man!!! INSANE SKILL!!”

You can see Kyrie’s highlights below.

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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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