Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson isn't going to talk with Kyrie Irving about the recent report from ESPN which claimed the Nets have an “unspoken concern” about Irving’s “infamous mood swings.”
Kenny Atkinson hasn’t felt the need to sit down w/ Irving over the ESPN story: “I know all these elite players, not just Kyrie, they’re used to the scrutiny and that’s just part of the business. That’s just what it is. I didn’t feel the need to talk to him about it.” #nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) October 30, 2019
Irving signed a four-year deal with Brooklyn this summer. The All-Star guard grew up a Nets fan while living in New Jersey and being able to play in front of family is something which is very important to him.
Kyrie gave his jersey to his dad after the Nets defeated the New York Knicks at home. It was clearly an emotional moment for Irving.
Article Continues BelowThe Nets had to know what they were getting into when they signed Irving, who is one of the most mercurial players in the NBA. Kyrie is an elite talent, but he can be a hard guy to get a hold of. This is the same guy who requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers after playing in three straight Finals and left the Boston Celtics after telling fans he was going to stay.
In Brooklyn, Irving is playing with his two pals, Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan — although Durant is widely expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season recovering from his Achilles tear.
The Nets are 1-2 on the young season. They lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves on opening night despite Irving scoring 50 points. Brooklyn defeated the Knicks, but followed that up with a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.