“It’s why I think the NFL is starting to separate itself again in popularity from NBA” Skip Bayless believes Kyrie Irving completely ripped out Brooklyn Nets’ heart
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Skip Bayless on Kyrie Irving
Skip Bayless was at his best again as he shot some cruel but very true shots at NBA Stars, especially at Kyrie Irving. Bayless emphasizes the athlete’s decision to remain unvaccinated as a root cause of Brooklyn Net’s current situation. It certainly was one of the major storylines for the Brooklyn Nets and the NBA last season. Skip Bayless believes Irving’s vaccination saga hurt the Nets, and might even send wrong signals to the entire league, putting the NBA popularity in danger. Bayless now despises Irving for it.
As for the Brooklyn Nets, factors like Kyrie’s absence, his sour relationship with James Harden and back offices, then James Harden’s trade request to join the Philadelphia 76ers put them in bad publicity and had negative effects on the players in the team too. Kevin Durant also seemed baffled by the “toxic” surroundings and requested a trade away, 1 year after signing a long-term contract. Irving’s vaccination status not only cost him several games but could have led to a much different season.
While Kyrie Irving, claimed to have valid reasons to remain unvaccinated and didn’t disclose them till the end, it did not sit well with Skip Bayless. During a recent podcast episode, Bayless lashed out at Kyrie Irving for his “Un-supportive” attitude.
Skip Bayless majorly blames Kyrie Irving for the Brooklyn Nets’ failure and fears that it might cost the league some fan following too
In 2019, Brooklyn Nets acquired two of the top 10 players, offensively very capable of disrupting any team. The former rookie of the season Kyrie Irving was one of them, who had a championship experience and was instrumental for the Cavs. But during the pandemic period, Kyrie’s attitude and unwillingness to get vaccinated was a huge blow for the Nets.
Skip Bayless targeted Kyrie’s commitment toward team and game as he said, “I don’t like Kyrie saying, ‘Ah, I don’t feel like playing. I’m going to take some time off because I’m an artist. I don’t want to get vaccinated. I know everybody’s getting vaccinated, but I got my reasons. I’m not going to share my reasons, but I just don’t…’ No.”
Bayless compared the vaccination situation at his network to Irving’s vaccination situation with Brooklyn. Giving his example, the 70-year-old analyst said, “Hey, we all got vaccinated here because we have to because we’re on a team. That was the best way to survive as a team and stay in the air. Kyrie wrecked that team. He tore its heart out with the decisions he kept making that were so anti-team. It’s just hard to watch. It’s good soap opera fodder from day-to-day on Undisputed, but I’m just spilling my guts to you here.”
Skip Bayless kept Kyrie Irving in the center for all the negativity around the franchise and blames it on his decision-making. Skip also believes it cost his team and the entire NBA. While Kyrie Irving’s vaccination saga eventually ended before the postseason, Skip Bayless believes it’s hurt the entire NBA’s popularity.
Skip continued bombarding Kyrie for the “irresponsible decision” as he said, “I despise it, and I think a lot of people are starting to despise it. It’s why I think the NFL is starting to separate itself again in popularity from the NBA. This stuff doesn’t happen in the National Football League.”
While he isn’t the only one who despises Irving, James Harden did claim the vaccination saga affected his decision to leave Brooklyn. He also agreed with Bayless that it affected the team. Some reporters also took issue with Kyrie Irving’s situation, leading to more controversy. While the NFL also had players who remained unvaccinated, the issues did not reach the levels that they do with Kyrie Irving.
Skip believes that Brooklyn still has the best shot at Championship if they keep their team intact. Former 2-time Champion Kevin Durant is looking for a trade away, while runners-up to defensive player of 2021 season Ben Simmons can be a good combination with Kyrie Irving, as per Skip Bayless.
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Kunal Chawda
(600 Articles Published)