Hoops Habit
Fansided

Pretenders to Contenders: What’s behind the Nets staggering 180?

By Rob Greene

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates his buzzer beater game winning shot with Kevin Durant #7 and Yuta Watanabe #18 against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on December 16, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates his buzzer beater game winning shot with Kevin Durant #7 and Yuta Watanabe #18 against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on December 16, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Brooklyn Nets. NBA. Kyrie Irving.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 04: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Kyrie Irving is finally helping shoulder the load in Brooklyn.

There was so much noise surrounding No. 11, with Brooklyn heavily struggling and him getting into yet another unprecedented incident with the organization off the court. Does he care anymore? Will he be moved? Is he ever going to get more than a 1-2 year max for the rest of his career? Does interest still remain around the league? Are there any takers? Will he ever play in the NBA again? Does he want to retire?

Without any sort of exaggeration, Kyrie Irving has ultimately been on his absolute best behavior. Irving’s only hiccup this season has been serving an eight-game suspension, which could have been avoided early in the season.

Since then, Irving has been light. Turning 31 in March and, of course, a free agent to be, he has put up 26.5 points, five rebounds, and eight assists with 50.3/40.8/89.2% shooting split over this 20-game takeover for the Nets. Kyrie is the third-best scorer in the fourth quarter this season behind LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo with 8.4 points per game in those 12 minutes.

Always tremendous numbers-wise since his tenure began playing for his hometown, Irving has expectedly answered the call in regards to the restlessness as a dark cloud over him and the team along with his contract being soon to expire.

Home/Brooklyn Nets