Opinion: Kyrie’s Behavior is Justifiable

By: Henry Curi

Now more than ever, players in the NBA seem to be more openly immersed in the problems and solutions of our society. Endlessly facing backlash, Kyrie Irving has been swallowed in a conflict of differing priorities. His finances are tied to his job as the starting point guard for the Brooklyn Nets, but his mind and soul are detached from that aspect for the right reasons. In a time where an individual call to action is needed in desperation—especially from those who need the most help, Kyrie has become that accessible figure who puts humanitarian issues over the game of basketball when need be. In the bigger frame of things, honestly, that’s okay.

Kyrie’s True Intentions

Yes, missing a span of games for personal reasons, especially as a superstar, comes with its own negative implications. Salary can be cut, the team can struggle, impulsive actions from the front office could arise, etc. Though, Kyrie will be back. Even with the newly acquired James Harden, the Nets still urgently need him to compromise for the loss of depth due to all the trades that took place recently.

But another burden his decisions face, is the narrow depictions from the media and its analysts portrayed to the public. Almost as if he is a problem more than anything.

On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith said Kyrie should retire from the game of basketball. Went as far as to compare him to the late Kobe Bryant and how the Mamba never missed games due to other interests. There’s one huge difference though, Kobe didn’t play his career through such a divisive period within our own country that made him question the importance of a game compared to what’s going on in the world. Kyrie is facing that mental juggling act as I’m sure other athletes are during these times.

A Pendulum of Priorities

If there’s any period to briefly step away from the court in order to reevaluate the things around you, it would be this season. A season that’s been hanging on a thread recently due to spiking COVID cases. An issue in itself that has made this season feel almost hallow at times.

Nothing makes this NBA season seem like a brutally meaningless endeavor quite like KAT getting COVID after watching 7 of his family members die from it

— sreekar (@sreekyshooter) January 15, 2021

Did Kyrie deserve the criticism he got for attending his sister’s party? Yes, absolutely. There are strict protocols for a reason that each player must follow in order to avoid a negative chain reaction due to the pandemic. This was bad on his part, no doubt. What doesn’t help this is Adam Silver’s handling of everything as of late. Forcing games to take place regardless of single-digit rosters, getting back positive cases in the middle of games, implementing new yet feeble rules for on-court interactions to help yield the rise of infection (surprise, they’re not really working). Doing everything in his power to make sure the league doesn’t lose more money. Really making this season feel, as the tweet above states, “like a meaningless endeavor” rooted mainly for the cause of capitalistic reasons.

I can’t speak for everyone and generalize this feeling, but for Kyrie, it seems to fit the scenario. His purpose off the court seems to grow as the nuance of this season keeps dwindling down to a stretch of never-ending problems.

A Star’s Meaning Beyond Basketball

His absence may raise questions and concerns, but his overall actions speak otherwise:

Kyrie Irving has done an outstanding job giving back @KyrieIrving pic.twitter.com/uEg3ywxsjW

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 19, 2021

Kyrie isn’t fulfilling his philanthropic agenda for the mere praise by the public or from the media, though. That’s not who Kyrie is. Kyrie does it because he knows it’s simply the right thing to do as a human being. His actions don’t beg for a spotlight, they urge for a change. To slander his name in its entirety becomes very one-dimensional from the people that still do at this point. He’s willing to do things a lot of other athletes are not and unfortunately, a lot of people don’t want to see that side. One way or another though, it prevails for those he seeks to aid and that’s all he truly cares about in his doings.

Kyrie Irving says basketball and life has been 'lot to balance':

"There's a deeper level of emotions that I have for helping people and serving. There's nothing normal about this life I live. Let me use this as a tool to be able to change things that I want to see in the world" pic.twitter.com/ULpKeWgmbd

— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) January 19, 2021

The 6x all-star returns to the Nets lineup tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although his mind may not always be focused on basketball, his talent on the court is still undeniable. Also, to have a player who highly excels in-game as well as makes an impact beyond the buzzer is a rarity. To have a person like Kyrie in the league is more of a gem so to speak. These types of athletes come around every so often, so it’s better to appreciate all he’s done and going to do while he’s here.