Kyrie Irving addressed it all in his first conversation with reporters of 2020-21. He talked about his recent comments on social media — some of which were believed to be insults direct toward the media. Irving also talked about the James Harden-to-Brooklyn rumors. Brooklyn’s point guard even was so far as to retract the following remarks he made about the Nets’ coaching situation during his appearance on Kevin Durant’s podcast.
“I was the first … well, he said I was the first person to call him Coach Nash, but I call him Steve. Steve is great, and I have a relationship with him that’s going to build over time, bro,” Irving said back in October. “Steve don’t know me from anything he heard or he’s heard someone else. We’ve worked out one time in 2014, but it’s grown as just a respectful relationship from afar. I saw him at the Hall of Fame two years ago, gave him a big hug and now he’s the head coach.
“And I think it’s also going to change the way we see coaches. I don’t really see us having a head coach. You know what I mean? KD could be a head coach. I could be a head coach.”
Irving sounded much different when it came time to talk about Steve Nash on Monday.
“Steve’s been amazing,” Irving said. “And it really is a reflection of the type of person he is and the IQ he has for the game. He commands the respect, and it’s not through just coming in and being the kind of typical rah-rah coach being on us. It’s just giving us a comfortable space to grow, to communicate, to throw ideas out there. And then you’ve got a two-time MVP coaching you.
“I think I’ve got to take back my comments in terms of the head coach back a few months ago. But it’s just like, man, we have such a great synergy. Everyone feels like we’re coaching one another to be better, so I’m grateful for that.”
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