Kyrie Irving wasn’t expected to hit the ground running. After eight months away from the court, he couldn’t have possible picked up from where he left off prior to being injured in Game Four of the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals. And, true enough, he looked extremely rusty in the first quarter of the Nets’ set-to against the Pacers yesterday. He burned rubber from opening tip, but could do no better than go zero of three along with two turnovers in his first nine minutes of play.
Still, it was clear from the get-go that Irving relished being back in uniform. His continued refusal to get vaccinated prevented him from making the Nets’ active roster at the start of the 2021-22 season, but the increased number of infections and continued roster turnover compelled the front office to do a 180-degree turn and tap him for action. And from the second quarter onward, he proved that he still possesses the All-Star skills that enable him to rub elbows with the best of the best.
When the final buzzer sounded, Irving’s numbers were a modest 22 (on nine-of-17 shooting from the field), three, four, three, and one. Nonetheless, all and sundry knew that his presence made the difference for the Nets. Durant may have gone for 39, eight, seven, and one, but they would not have been able to climb back from a double-digit first-half deficit without his exertions. Not for nothing did he finish the contest with a game-high plus-16 rating in 32 minutes on the court.
Irving was pleased, if unassuming, in the aftermath. “Whatever the team [requires], I’ll do,” he contended. Of that there is no doubt, and it’s fair to assume that he — and, by extension, the Nets — will get better once he gets his sea legs. And the effect of his absence in home outings (and in visits to New York and Toronto given safety protocols in these cities) is more than offset by his positive impact in all other contests. In this regard, head coach Steve Nash is right; he’s better (make that much, much better) than any other part-time player they’d be able to sign.
Whether Irving deserves to mingle with other players given his unvaccinated status is the subject of another discussion in another time. Bottom line, he’s not breaking any rules in so doing. And, based on talent alone, he’s definitely a plus. He improves the National Basketball Association’s principal product, and he elevates the Nets’ capacity to bring home the hardware.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
