Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving has yet to appear in a game during the 2021-22 NBA season.
Prior to the start of the regular season, the Nets announced that he wouldn’t practice or play in games until he was able to be a full participant with the team. He is currently unable to be a full participant with the team because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19.
Many around the league have criticized Irving’s decision to not get vaccinated. Stephen A. Smith recently went on a tirade against Irving and the Nets after the team lost to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
“I actually hope Kyrie Irving gets cut,” said Smith. “I mean, this is a disgrace.”
Smith also went on to call Irving a “sad excuse for a professional,” while adding that he “can’t be trusted.”
Back in October, the ESPN anchor said that the Nets would trade Irving for a “box of cookies if they could.” Obviously, Brooklyn has not dealt the seven-time All-Star. Every front office in the NBA is apparently “scared to death” of Irving.
When Irving is on the floor, he’s one of the best players in the league. He holds career averages of 22.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game on 47.0 percent shooting from the field and 39.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Although they currently have a 10-5 record and are third in the Eastern Conference, the Nets have struggled mightily at times this season. They haven’t looked like the best team, and they could certainly use Irving’s help.
It doesn’t seem like the one-time champion will be back anytime soon, so the Nets will have to continue marching on without him.
