Kyrie Irving has always told everyone who would listen about how much he hates the media obligations that come with his job as an NBA player.
Apparently, he’s found a way to skip them this season.
NBA teams are going through media week where players and coaches are making themselves available to speak to the media ahead of training camp starting this weekend.
Irving skipped out on that obligation on Friday. Instead of speaking to the media, Irving left a statement with a Nets spokesperson who passed it on to the media.
In it, he talked about COVID-19’s impact on the world, how he’s praying for everyone’s safety through the season, how he wanted to make sure his message was “conveyed” properly and how he is committed to showing up and playing for the Nets this season.
He said pretty much everything but “I ain’t speaking to y’all” today. Take a look.
Kyrie Irving issued a statement that says, in part: “My goal this season is to let my work on and off the court speak for itself.”
He said he is issuing this statement instead of speaking with reporters. pic.twitter.com/ninUzAnhzC
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) December 4, 2020
“I am committed to show up to work everyday, ready to have fun, compete, performan and win championships alongside my teammates and colleagues in the Nets organization. My goal this season is to let my work on and off the court speak for itself. Life hit differently this year and it requires us, it requires me, to move differently. So, this is the beginning of that change.”
Sounds like the Nets media might not be speaking too much with Kyrie Irving this season. We’ll see how this works out.
On the other hand, though, this miiiight just leave Irving’s pockets a little bit lighter.
You may or may not care about this. However, it is in clear violation league rules. https://t.co/LAcrZUxUog
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) December 4, 2020
We’re finally going to get the NBA’s version of Marshawn Lynch’s greatest hit “I‘m just here so I don’t get fined.” Fantastic.