We keep hearing Nets players talk about how positive the vibes have been since the big trade that sent out James Harden and brought in Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond. But when Kyrie Irving goes nuclear and drops 38 points in a road victory over the defending champs the Milwaukee Bucks, we can't help but wonder how great this Nets team could be if they were all available to play full-time.

“We got together as a group after All-Star break and we put some goals on the board and just a daily reminder of what we're gearing up for,” Irving said to after the huge 126-123 win.

Irving was asked how optimistic he is that his team can finally be whole at some point in the near future. That would include health for the team's key players like Ben Simmons, Kevin Durant, and a possible change to New York's vaccine mandate rules which might allow Irving himself to one day play full-time–even if he still doesn't want a vaccine. Irving is only eligible to play in seven more regular season games if nothing changes.

“More than hopeful just remaining humble, just staying in the moment, and just making sure that we stay collectively as a group as strong as we can and that right there is the best recipe,” Irving told ESPN's Lisa Salters.

The Nets are now 32-29 and in eighth place in the East. And the way NYC Mayor Eric Adams has spoken recently it sounds like the new City leader wants to make a change of some sort. But he is conflicted over the entire matter. 

After the game, Irving got honest about his feelings on it all. He hadn't appeared for reporters since mid February prior to the All-Star Break, so we hadn't yet heard his comments on the possible changes.

“Yeah I'm following it as much as you guys are. Just remaining patient. And just seeing where things end up in this next week or so or next two weeks I'm not too sure. But I know as much as you do,” Irving said.

This came after Irving's 38-point season-high scoring outburst and there wasn't much the Bucks could do to contain him. It only serves to make fans want to see the Duke product out on the court all of the time. The sky is the limit for this Nets team if he were suddenly in that lineup on a nighty basis. You know Kevin Durant would love that too.

“I want to say this, I'm very appreciative of all those that are pushing behind the scenes to make our world a better place with everything calming down with the COVID cases,” Irving added. “Most important thing for me was just making sure everybody was OK. I've been on record saying it's not about me, I don't want to feel like it's all on me but the circumstances this year have not been ideal, but I'm glad  that things are kind of settling down and there's light at the end of the tunnel here.

“Hopefully, I can get back on that home floor playing at the Barclays and now we can finally have that conversation that you've been dying to have just about turning the page and moving forward beyond this … but I feel for everybody that's either in my boat, or in a similar boat, or dealt with some type of trauma from this just wishing every body well wishes always.”

Kyrie Irving was admittedly feeling a bit emotional. And not just on this subject. This was his first game back in Milwaukee, where he suffered a pretty serious ankle injury after landing on Giannis' foot after a drive during the second round of the 2021 playoffs. He wouldn't suit up for the Nets again that season and it derailed the team's title hopes.

It sounds like Kyrie is really hopeful that something changes in the next few weeks. It seems he feels this has been a major struggle and he can't wait to be be with his team all of the time and contend for a title. Nets fans can continue to hope that either the Mayor or the team's star changes their current stance.