Family played a big part in Kyrie Irving's decision to sign with the Brooklyn Nets in free agency this summer.
Irving grew up a Nets fan while living in New Jersey. The Nets open their 2019-20 season on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves at home. It will be on the one-year anniversary of Irving's grandfather's death.
Via Barbara Barker of Newsday:
The loss of his grandfather helped Irving gain a new perspective. He wanted to be close to his family. He wanted to come home. So he recruited his good friend Kevin Durant and landed on a team where he hopes to stay.
“I just wanted to be in a place for me, ” Irving said after practice Tuesday. “It was an easy decision . . . This is the heart of basketball. I grew up playing here in these different boroughs going from Jersey on the George Washington bridge. And now I get a chance to have my family come here for 41 games.”
Irving has one of the best handles of all time and is an elite finisher at the rim. Uncle Drew averaged 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.9 assists last season for the Boston Celtics while shooting 48.7 percent from the field, 40.1 percent from beyond the arc and 87.3 percent from the free-throw line.
Irving is replacing D’Angelo Russell as the Nets’ point guard. Kyrie made the All-NBA second team last season and is a six-time All-Star and NBA champion.
Follow Us
Subscribe