There has been plenty of drama surrounding Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving in recent years across multiple teams, ranging from his flat Earth comments to questions about his leadership to his COVID-19 vaccination status and more. In addition to that negative stuff, Irving has also made a concerted effort to take stands on social justice issues as he looks to make an impact off the court.

While being outspoken and taking action on those causes is admirable, all this put together has many wondering if Irving truly loves the game of basketball anymore. Based on a comment from one of Irving's family members to The Athletic's Joe Vardon, it seems it's fair to wonder:

At the time Char recounted her story to me, Irving had yet to play a single game for the Nets this season. And during dinner with Irving, Char said, he told her that basketball was “more or less just a job” to him.

Then, as he showed her pictures of his children, he paused and asked her, “Auntie, who can I trust here? Who can I trust?”

Char is Char White Mountain, a 71-year-old cousin of Irving who lives on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. Irving visited there last August and Vardon made his visit in December, before the Nets star had played a game in the 2021-22 season.

Brooklyn brought Irving back as a part-time player, but he refuses to get the COVID-19 vaccine and is in line to be a part-time player for the rest of the season unless New York City changes its vaccine rules.

Given Irving's words and actions, it seems clear there are a lot of things he views as bigger than basketball. While his heart is in the right place on some issues, he has brought plenty of fair criticism on himself with his more conspiratorial leanings. Kyrie is a complicated fellow, making for a complicated situation with the Nets, especially as they struggle without Kevin Durant.