Dallas Mavericks" Kyrie Irving has been in stellar form over the 29 games he has played this year. The former overall first pick is averaging 25.5 points, 5.4 assists, 5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Led by Luka Doncic and Irving, the Mavs are currently sitting in eight in the West (ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors) with a 28-23 record.
On Tuesday, Kyrie Irving returned to his face his former team the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center. The 6" 2" guard had one of his best shooting nights of the year putting up 36 points and shooting 15-24 from the field at his old stomping ground. Irving led all scorers to guide his team to a 119-107 victory.
Nets fans were upset with Irving"s conduct and performances during his time in Brooklyn and one fan made it a point to ask him about it:
“Kyrie why don"t play like this when you were on the Nets?"
Irving responded with a shot at Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City at the time:
“Thank Mayer [Eric] Adams for that, bro."
Nets fan: "Kyrie why don't play like this when you were on the Nets? Why Kai?"
Irving: "Thank Mayor [Eric] Adams for that, bro."
(Via @Courtsidenets / h/t @ClutchPoints )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 7, 2024
The 36 points Irving recorded against the Nets was his fourth highest total of the season. He had previously scored 39, 42 and a season-high 44 points against the New York Knicks.
The eight-time All-Star and Nets fans have a turbulent relationship that dates back to his time in Brooklyn. During his four seasons with the franchise between 2019-2023, he played in just 143 games. The organization never made it past the Eastern Conference semifinals despite having star talent like Kevin Durant and James Harden on the roster.
Irving"s appearances in Brooklyn were limited due to his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine. New York state laws prohibited him from playing in home games and he only participated in a handful of away games during the 2021-22 season. Irving is obviously still holding a grudge against the mayors office for his lack of game time in New York.
