Kyrie Irving has been a frequent subject of criticism. His lack of availability for the Brooklyn Nets in recent seasons has earned him a great deal of backlash.? Whether it was him missing games for personal reasons or being forced to miss games last season for refusing to get vaccinated, he has been at the crux of countless NBA debates.
While he is entitled to make his own decisions, it has constantly landed the guard in hot water. Many believe that his actions have led him to fail as an influential role model and that he has misled people. NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the latest to weigh in on this, launching a scathing attack on Irving.
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The Los Angeles Lakers legend didn’t hold back in his latest Substack piece, going off on the Nets star. Abdul-Jabbar slammed the seven-time NBA All-Star, criticizing his decision not to get vaccinated last season. He highlighted how Irving’s decision was damaging to the country, especially to the Black community.
He also remarked that, “Kyrie Irving?s thought process is an example of what happens when the education system fails.”
"I didn't appreciate how me being unvaccinated came to be a stigma within my career that I don't want to play, or that I'm willing to give up everything to be a voice for the voiceless."
– Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/yE6E0GU03N
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) September 26, 2022
All of the accusations that Irving saw come his way last season were legit, as per Abdul-Jabbar. He claimed that the athlete continued to promote his anti-vaccine ideas regardless of the consequences that may follow.
The six-time NBA champion then remarked on how rich and famous people can get away with doing and saying stupid things. He asserted that money is what separates them from the consequences.
NBA great Kareem-Abdul Jabbar calls Kyrie Irving a “comical bafoon”
Kyrie Irving is undoubtedly one of the league’s biggest stars today. Many people look up to him owing to his basketball talents. Many others regard him as a strong role model who believes in doing what is best for himself. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, on the other hand, believes the Nets star has failed miserably as a role model and has misguided people.
The NBA legend noted that if it weren’t for his impact on young people who look up to athletes, Irving would be regarded as a “comical buffoon”. He claimed that the guard has damaged the reputations of all athletes who have utilized their status to help society.
Let’s make sure our kids have the right kind of role models. Kyrie Irving should reconsider his behavior because young people look up
to him. pic.twitter.com/FyEQmE14Om— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) October 3, 2022
Irving, according to Abdul-Jabbar, lacks the ability to bring about change. However, he stated that joining hands will put an end to his destructive behavior.
The Los Angeles Lakers legend urged people to do more than simply shake their heads and hurl scathing tweets. In fact, he suggested that they write to his sponsors and request that Irving be dropped. He noted that, while Nike has reportedly opted not to renew Irving’s deal beyond this season, he is still sponsored by Pepsi and 2K Sports.
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Nike is unlikely to renew Kyrie Irving's contract, as per ESPN.
DETAILS: https://t.co/KnPxgjK9Dp pic.twitter.com/iQ5634lupQ
— House of Heat° (@houseofheat) May 13, 2022
Kyrie Irving’s actions over the past few seasons have certainly enraged Abdul-Jabbar. The Nets superstar, on the other hand, will be focused on next season and giving?his best. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets will hope that their superstar is available for the entirety of the season.
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What do think of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s remarks? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.