The Brooklyn Nets have grown concerned about the mood swings of star Kyrie Irving, ones he's been known to have through the course of his career. According to former teammates he's had with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics, these come and go in lapses throughout the season.
“When Irving lapses into these funks, he often shuts down, unwilling to communicate with the coaching staff, front office and sometimes, even his teammates,” wrote ESPN's Jackie MacMullan.
Perhaps that is why the Nets were so willing to reel in Irving, Kevin Durant, and DeAndre Jordan as a packaged deal, giving the star point guard a support system of his close friends to help him navigate the rollercoaster nature of an NBA season.
“I look at Kyrie as somebody who is an artist,” said Durant. “You have to leave him alone. You know what he'll bring to the table every night because he cares so much about the game.
“Now, it might not be how other people want him to care about it. He has his way of doing things. I respect who he is and what he does. He has all the intangibles you want in a teammate and a great player. So, how he gets to the point to be ready for 7:30 every night, I'm supporting him 100 percent.”
Durant can be much of the same way — quiet, introverted, and choosing to focus on his craft than talking out his emotions.
The hope is that the Nets are able to navigate these highs and lows and give Irving a more comfortable atmosphere to help him ease those mood swings and lead his team the way the front office intends.
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