Just a day after Garrett Temple publicly encouraged NBA players to go along with the league’s plans to resume the 2019-20 season at Disney World in Orlando, one of his Brooklyn Nets teammates has taken the lead among those who aren’t keen on resuming the season. Not only is this one of Temple’s teammates, this also happens to be one of the biggest names in the league: Kyrie Irving.
Not long after reports trickled out indicating Irving was the “driving force” in “raising concerns over NBA’s bubble plan” and organizing these calls to discuss this matter, multiple reports regarding a call amongst players on Friday surfaced, illustrating the Nets point guard’s role in the conversation.
ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Irving’s questions regarding the situation in Orlando “weren’t of weighty consequence.” Though one player did tell Woj:
He’s trying to give players a platform to be able to have a discussion — on the bubble, racial equality and unity…It’s a good call.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports is reporting that Irving brought a bit more to the table.
According to Haynes, Irving “led [an] inspiring conference call centered on unity, systemic racism, investing in communities with 80-plus players that included WNBA players. Opinions were voiced, questions answered and a common theme established: Whatever we do, we’re in this together.” Haynes also indicated Irving is against going to Orlando, “but said he would ultimately stand with the group if they decided to play.”
Then Shams Charania of The Athletic reported some of what was said by Irving on the call, including:
I don’t support going into Orlando. I’m not with the systematic racism and the [expletive]. Something smells a little fishy.
Charania also tweeted that the Nets guard said he is “willing to give up everything I have (for social reform).”
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