Kyrie Irving defended comments he made about the Nets supposedly having a “glaring” need to add talent to compete for an NBA title.
Irving said outsiders need not intrude on Brooklyn’s locker room: “If it’s harsh as a leader or too much for anybody, if you’re not in our locker room, stay the f**k out. It’s as simple as that.”
Kyrie also made an odd and confusing reference to Julius Erving leading the Nets to their last championship.
Per The Athletic:
“It’s not a coincidence that the last time the Nets won a title, they were led by Julius Erving,” Irving said, referencing the two ABA titles Hall of Famer Julius Erving won with the then-New York Nets in 1974 and 1976. “And now, we have another Irving. I’m just saying.”
The implication was that the Brooklyn Nets were eventually going to win it all again because they employed another player whose name was pronounced the same.
“I’m just saying. Erving. Irving,” the mercurial All-Star point guard turned defense attorney said, making his case, to no avail.
“How do you spell his name again?” Pinson responded, hoping that Irving would realize how silly he was being with the Dr. J chatter and just…stop.
“He’s with an E,” Irving said, acknowledging the difference, “but how do you say it?” Irving smiled and nodded.
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