“Dealing with it in my shoes is difficult” Kyrie Irving opens up on media obligations on star players
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Kyrie Irving talks about Media attention
Kyrie Irving is considered one of the best guards in the league and he lived up to that status for a long time. But lately, he is been more in the news for some wrong reasons. Especially, over the past year and a half, Kyrie Irving has been one of the most talked-about names in the NBA. Covid- vaccination, availability for the team, and contract situation were high on that list. Kyrie appeared on “The Shop” show, which discloses general difficulty in dealing with media in such situations.
Kyrie’s decisions, right from leaving the Cavs were scrutinized over his tenure in the league. But after the pandemic period, Kyrie was more criticized for his “wrong” decisions. The first major decision was to decline to get the COVID-19 vaccine. As an unvaccinated player, as per New York City mandate, he was unable to partake in home games, making him a part-timer for the Nets. Kyrie was hugely condemned for his “stubborn behavior” affecting the Nets’ season dearly.
30-year-old superstar Kyrie Irving made an appearance on “The Shop,” this summer, where he discussed a variety of topics while seating on a chair. He also talked about the difficult period he had with the media as he was constantly printed everywhere on the net, print media, and digital media for his every decision. He sounded off on how constantly answering to the media can be daunting for star players.
Kyrie said, “Yeah. It’s wearing the crown, honestly. It comes with it. We all say it, ‘Easier said than done.’”
Reflecting on his experience with the media, 7-time All-Star said, “Dealing with it in my shoes is difficult at times, I’ll be honest. But there are times where light shines through the truth. And you have to spread it out. And I do my best to be available and give that warm invite to all walks of life.”
Kyrie Irving might have some valid points, but a case can be made against his views on media obligations. While a lot can be asked of star players like Kyrie at times, the difficulty in it stems from the decisions he chooses to make.
Kyrie Irving getting agitated by the constant eye from the media.
Famous personalities are always in the spotlight with cameras and media houses catching their every move. Basketball players are not different, and some of them face the cameras more often than others. It surely depends on the athlete’s popularity – both positive and negative. Kyrie Irving also got the spotlight when he was selected as the top pick in 2011.
Throughout his career, he remained in the discussions, with All-Star games MVP, 3-point contest winner, and 2016 Finals, and enjoyed mostly the ‘positive’ vibes from fans and media. But after changing his loyalty to the Celtics and later leaving the same following 2 failed seasons, attracted many raised eyebrows.
He also made it to the news when he joined hands with another megastar Kevin Durant and formed a super team at the Brooklyn Nets. But that experiment also failed miserably, and mainly due to Kyrie’s questionable decision-making. Despite being fully healthy, the All-Star guard appeared in only 29 games last season hampering team chemistry.
Following his part-time status, Irving then attempted to secure a big payday from the Nets. However, due to his constant unavailability, Brooklyn’s front office declined his demands. This stalemate led to rumors of the 30-year-old seeking sign-and-trade options. But after hard tries, Kyrie finally settled with the Nets’ offer.
Dealing with the constant questioning regarding his vaccine status might have been tough, following the team’s struggles in the season, plus rumors of him being the villain in the locker room, damager of the team’s reputation were just hard to answer. Kyrie did try to answer once, but constant bagging finally took a toll on him.
Kyrie needs to understand that big paychecks and fame comes with huge responsibilities. Media and Fans would be breathing near you always. There are plenty of stars around the league who don’t mind speaking to the media because of the way they conduct themselves. If the Brooklyn Nets don’t become the league’s biggest Trainwreck, Kyrie Irving might not feel the way he does now.
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Kunal Chawda
(600 Articles Published)