Kyrie Irving’s 36-point night in the Nets’ 119-107 loss to the Mavericks had fans wondering why he never played like that while he was in Brooklyn.
In fact, it had them asking Irving to his face why that was and the former Nets star said they could blame one man: New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Irving, visiting Barclays Center for the first time since he was traded last February to the Mavericks, was captured on video being heckled by a fan sitting courtside over Irving’s inability to “play like this when you were on the Nets.”
“Thank Mayor Adams for that, bro” Irving responded after the fan asked a second time.
The spectator shooting the video with his phone wasn’t impressed by the answer, firing back, “Oh, come on.”
Irving famously sparred with Adams over the city’s previous COVID-19 vaccine mandate that prevented him from playing home games to start the 2021-22 season, before the Nets finally allowed Irving to return for road games only as he continued to refuse to get the jab.
The point guard was able to put up impressive performances on the road, but the constant distraction of questions about Irving, mixed with an ever-changing Nets lineup, hurt Brooklyn trying to find any sort of consistency.
Adams continually refused to make any sort of amendment to the vaccine mandate that blocked Irving from suiting up at Barclays Center until March 2022 when Hizzoner lifted the private-sector mandate barring unvaccinated professional athletes from competing within city limits.
The vaccine saga was just one of the many controversies that occurred during Irving’s time with the Nets, which also included inconsistent availability and the promotion of a film filled with antisemitic tropes on his social media.
He was greeted with a mixture of boos and cheers when a welcome back graphic — that also featured Seth Curry and Markieff Morris — appeared on the Barclays Center prior to Tuesday night’s game and when he was announced during the starting lineup.
It was a stark contrast to the reception that former Nets stasr Kevin Durant received when the Suns came through Brooklyn last week.
Irving posted on X Tuesday night, seeming to address some of the negativity that occurred during his first visit back to Barclays Center.
“Thank you for everything GOD. I gotta stay poised through the chaos and hate. The next generation is watching,” Irving wrote.
Irving signed a three-year, $126 million contract deal to re-sign with the Mavs this past offseason.
He’s aveafed 25.1 points this season, along with 5.4 assists and shooting 47.5 percent from the field.