The Nets plan to bring Kyrie Irving back for road games once he clears health and safety protocols, but general manager Sean Marks may not be committed to that as a long-term decision, tweets Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Asked today if the team will continue with Irving as a part-time player when the roster returns to normal, Marks declined to answer, calling the question “hypothetical.”
Brooklyn has been hit hard by COVID-19 in the past week and currently has 10 players in health and safety protocols with tonight’s addition of rookie Day’Ron Sharpe, tweets Tim Bontemps of ESPN. The Nets, who also have Joe Harris sidelined after ankle surgery and Nicolas Claxton sitting out with soreness in his wrist, are missing 12 players for tonight’s game with Orlando. They signed four players this week with hardship exceptions to fill out their roster.
Marks admits the extreme shortage of personnel was behind the decision to let Irving start playing again, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press, although he’s still ineligible for home games because he hasn’t met New York City’s vaccine requirement.
“Several months ago we made a decision that was based around what was best for the team,” Marks said. “What was best for the team at that point was continuity and I think we all see that continuity right now over the course of the last week and whatever the future looks like may be out the window for a while, and we’ve got to navigate that as best we can.”
Irving was placed in the league’s health and safety protocols earlier today, which means he either tested positive for the virus or returned an inconclusive result. Marks said he hasn’t appealed to Irving to get vaccinated or tried to change his mind about the issue, Reynolds adds.
“There’s also a risk for Kyrie when a guy comes in and if they’re not vaccinated,” Marks said. “I don’t want to get into those type of discussions, but that’s a risk for him coming into this environment, not just the team and so forth. But we’re all well aware of the status and his status and moving forward and how we’ll navigate this as best we can.”
Coach Steve Nash echoed Marks’ comments in a pre-game meeting with reporters, saying the original decision on Irving was based on continuity, but “continuity’s out the window now,” tweets David Aldridge of The Athletic.
“I’m excited to have Kyrie back,” Nash continued (Twitter link from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype). “He’s an incredible player, no matter what capacity. We’ll incorporate him in. It’s a positive for our group.”
Owner Joe Tsai also spoke about the thinking behind the reversal on Irving, telling Brian Lewis of The New York Post that the decision was made solely for basketball reasons and isn’t an attempt to make a statement about the vaccine mandate.
“We’re trying to be practical. And I’ve always said I don’t want to make this a political issue,” Tsai said. “My only religion is to win games and win the championship. That’s where we are.”
Which backcourt would you rather have on your team, 2021 Harden/Kyrie, 1989 Isiah/Dumars, 1973 Frazier/Monroe or 1997 Jordan/Harper? Rank if possible
It’s hard because of the era difference. I think Isaiah and Dumars for their era had a better peak that year than what Kyrie and Harden provide. I would take 97 Jordan and Harper for Jordan alone.
Agreed. Personally I like the Frazier/Monroe combo – that was an unbelievable backcourt where either player could run the point. But hands down Jordan plus anyone still wins.
Yeah I’d take Jordan/Harper out of this group but I’d take 2015 Curry/Thompson over any backcourt pairing of all time.
It’s kind of hard to rate 2021 Harden/Irving as they haven’t even played together.
You could say Jordan and Brian Windhorst.
No, I’d play Windhorst at center … Just plant him under the hoop to take the charge when Giannis is barreling in for the score …
Scottie Pippen picks Jordan/Harper dead last.
Kyrie has talent but i cant rank someone that had no interest in making an effort. Im a IT on the Celtics fan and was stoked they gave him up to get Kyrie, well sorta i felt bad IT gave the Celtics more than any team deserves.
But kyrie has dipped for BLM, coviid, and other various reasons yet not once got in front of a mic to talk about why.
The answer is always Jordan. The option could be Jordan and me ( played high school ball in a non basketball town in Canada) and the answer is always Jordan.
Not really. Don’t get distracted by shoes and highlights. Top player of all time? Maybe. Top guard? Definitely. But Jordan didn’t win every game did he? And he lost plenty to Isaiah and Dumars. Harper was very good in his day, though that was mostly before he teamed with Jordan, so very reasonable answer. But not automatic. Kyrie and Harden are eliminated based on lack of D let alone they have both arguably torpedo teams that have been on.
1/ Harden/Kyrie
2/ IT/JD
3/ Jordan/Harper
4/ Frazier/Monroe
As a Pistons fan (though one that started watching post-Bad Boys), I’d still say:
1. Jordan / Harper
2. Isiah / Dumars
3. Harden / Kyrie
4. Frazier / Monroe
Though the Pistons of the late 80s were a better team than the Bulls, just as the 2004 Pistons had a better team than the Lakers, despite the Lakers having the best two players on the court.
I really don’t care either way in a vacuum about the decision to play him or not, but making such a big deal about not playing him to then completely flip on that principle is hilarious. It stands out even more because the thing that made the Nets go from bottom of the league to an attractive destination for Kyrie and KD was the fact they developed such a well run organization and culture.
Once they got them they said screw it and threw away their coach over not wanting to start a washed up Deandre Jordan over Jarrett Allen (the right decision) and now the GM is acting with zero plan in place.
@Black
Are you failing to read the room? Marks didn’t sound that happy to reverse their decision. There’s really no way any NBA team could appropriately prepare for all the covid protocols this season. The best they can do is try and stash as much talent as possible in their G league affiliate. My guess is that they don’t want to wear out KD or loose any ground in the EC.
So he was forced to do it? Ok sure.
what on Earth are the Nets doing?
Same plan as the rest of the teams Pinky, trying to win a championship.
Whatever it is, they better be careful. It is flat, after all…
This whole situation just shows how bad of a teammate Kyrie.
It is his body, if he wants to risk getting severely ill without a vaccine, so be it. I would make him sign a waiver he plays at his own risk then.
Agreed from that perspective, but need to consider others he could potentially infect.
Considering others has never been Kyrie’s strong suit.
Marks is a total tool & clown, no doubt worst GM in the league, of course we all know that by now!
BRK & Tsai are looking total idiots for trying to defend their idjet stand of not allowing Kyrie to play!
Let’s hope we as fans can enjoy the superstar that Kyrie is, at the end of the day is what all hoops fans want, enjoy the best ballers in the world just balling!
Play him to Trade him ……. genius
That’s what I do. Nets don’t need the Space Cadet. They’ve already proven that. Plus Harden in shape runs the TEAM better. And is a better fit with KD. The real Superstar of this TEAM. He plays they can get value …..
Ben >>>>> for >>>>> Kyrie
This trade will blow up the NBA …..