“This thing just been a clusterf**k in Brooklyn” – Charles Barkley holds Kyrie Irving responsible for Nets failure
When the Brooklyn Nets signed Kyrie Irving as a free agent in 2019, they were hoping it was the beginning of something big. Irving had decided to team up with fellow superstar Kevin Durant, giving the Nets a dangerous offensive duo.
Coming into the 2021-22 NBA season, it was viewed as an almost certainty that the Brooklyn Nets would make it to the NBA Finals. The team had acquired James Harden the previous season and looked to have a dangerous roster. But that's when adversity hit the Nets hard. Irving went on to play in just 29 games after refusing the COVID-19 vaccination.
The season turned out to be a disaster. After an offseason full of controversy, including trade demands from Kevin Durant, Brooklyn is trying to get back on track. Speaking recently on "The Bill Simmons Show," NBA legend Charles Barkley didn't hold back while giving his opinion about the Nets. Barkley said that Irving's tenure with the Nets has been a "clusterf**k."
"Cavs were winning 20 games when he was the best player. And then, he's like I don't want to play second fiddle to LeBron. Oh, you want to be the man? And then stinks in Boston. And then they get rid of him, and they actually do better without him. And now you see this thing just been a clusterf**k in Brooklyn. So other than that one shot against the Warriors, his resume is spotty, too."
Kyrie Irving looks to get the trust of Brooklyn Nets teammates back
Kyrie Irving's career has been a rollercoaster of emotions. After winning a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Irving wanted to move on to another team. That resulted in the superstar guard being shipped to the Boston Celtics.
After showing some promise with the Celtics, Irving decided to head in another direction. He signed a four-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets, teaming up with Kevin Durant to chase a title together. The Nets looked to be on the verge of a Finals appearance in 2021. That was until injuries resulted in the team losing in seven games to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Brooklyn came into last season with lofty expectations, but the season turned into a nightmare. After winning the play-in game, the Nets were swept in the opening round by the Boston Celtics.
There's still plenty of talent on this Brooklyn Nets roster, the team's future remains a concern. Irving recently opted into his player option for the 2022-23 season. The expectation is that Irving will hit the free agent market this summer, and he's already been connected to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Part 2 of Kyrie Irving on @Stadium: "I’m going for every piece of hardware that I could possibly get out of the NBA." On the Nets post-KD trade request, his team bonding event, admitting "I don't think it was my time to ask for a trade" with Cavs, Uncle Drew, meaning of A11Even. https://t.co/TI4IKfOBEs
For now, Kyrie Irving will attempt to right the ship and get the Nets back into contention for the 2022-23 season. If Kyrie and Brooklyn can make a run in the Eastern Conference, it will go a long way toward helping his market as a free agent.