Kyrie Irving – the name, more often than not, reminds quite a few (a lot, perhaps?) about the veteran guard’s dark days. Starting from Boston and following him to the Nets, Kai has had heavy turbulence. Is he controversial? Not in the Draymond Green way, but a mix of Green and Kevin Durant might be somewhat of an accurate picture. Dray and his on-court antics and KD’s tit-for-tat with the fans are quite characteristic of the Australian native.

However, since he arrived in Dallas, Irving has fared a lot better. Everybody who thought it would be just another Nets episode was proven wrong. The 32-year-old showcased impressive leadership while sharing the spotlight with the franchise superstar, Luka Doncic. Another aspect that a lot took care to point out.

However, popular podcaster Bill Simmons, and guest Ryen Russillo on the former’s The Bill Simmons Podcast, discuss the NBA Finals. Russillo, though, believes Kyrie Irving owes nothing to anyone. And he makes it clear with a strong NSFW statement. “F**ck off! Miss me! like what am I supposed to do?”

“I am psyched that he’s playing basketball at the level that he’s playing. The stuff that he is doing is as unique as for somebody that small. But no, now you have to do all this other stuff. ‘I don’t have to do any of that sh*t, because I am not going to,'” Russillo concluded.

It is true that his time with the Celtics and Nets, a total of six years, was dotted with controversies. In Boston, it was more or less fights with fans and rude replies to the media, not to mention, his backhand corroboration with KD to join Brooklyn. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said of his time with the Nets.

Kyrie Irving got caught in the web with the Nets

In July, Kai signed a four-year $141 million deal to form a Big 3 in Brooklyn. Interestingly, the two were spotted getting cozy during the All-Star Weekend. Although Irving had given one of his signature rude responses, Durant admitted it was the point when the two reached a decision. “The All-Star game video where they caught us in the hallway. That’s when it was solidified that we were going somewhere.”

However, things didn’t end there. They were just getting started. It started with the Nets’ HC Atkinson getting fired. Of course, some rumors went in the direction of KD and Kyrie allegedly being the reason for the firing. Both of them denied those. To top it off, Kai only played 20 games in 202o, thanks to injuries. And then it was the infamous COVID-19 season.

Irving had gone maskless at a birthday party for his sister, effectively violating the NBA’s safety protocols. He ended up missing seven games and a fine of $50,000. The 2021 playoffs saw the 8x All-Star getting mercilessly booed by the Celtics fans. Adding more fire to the hate in Boston was when he unintentionally stepped on the Cs’ logo.

Nonetheless, none of this came anywhere close to when he was adamant in his decision to not get vaccinated. “It’s just about the freedom of what I want to do,” he had said then. The result was playing just 29 games in the regular season and getting swept by the Celtics in the first round of Eastern Conference playoffs. And of course, the most controversial of all – the antisemitic video.

The Nets suspended Kyrie Irving without pay for refusing to say that he has no antisemitic beliefs. Nike also suspended him and shortly after, terminated the contract for the same. Out of the 328 regular season games, Irving only played 143. Well, that was the succinct version of all that went in the four years that he was in Brooklyn. It was certainly a lot more than any one person could handle.

There is no doubt that the Boston crowd will be raucous seeing Irving. Given the kind of struggles he’s had to deal with, let’s hope it won’t affect his game and a potential ring.

Before you go, another matter foremost in our mind is about our beloved Inside the NBA crew. While many are sure they are going to be disbanded, Shaq’s confidante and ex-agent, Leonard Armato, thinks otherwise. To know more about his comments, watch this video.