NBA superstar Kyrie Irving has delivered one last parting shot at his former club, claiming he felt “just tolerated” instead of “celebrated” in his three years at the Nets.
Speaking to media for the first time since his blockbuster trade to the Dallas Mavericks, Irving said he felt “very disrespected” at times at Brooklyn before his shock exit was confirmed this week.
“I just know I wanna be places where I’m celebrated and not just tolerated or just, kind of dealt with in a way that doesn’t make me feel respected,” Irving said.
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Irving endured a tough 18 months after opting to remain unvaccinated in late 2021, meaning he was ineligible to play or practice with his team under New York City mandate.
He was then suspended for eight NBA games for posting a link to an Amazon movie that spread anti-Semitic information.
The apology he subsequently issued on Instagram at the Nets’ request was deleted after his Brooklyn exit.
“Yeah, I delete a lot of things on my Instagram,” he said when asked directly about the post’s removal.
“I’ve had things that have happened before in my life, probably not as drastic as that moment, which led to a lot of confusion and uncertainty I felt like in what I meant and what I stand for.
“I just sit up at these mics and explain to the world who I am, and I know who I am. So I delete things all the time, and it’s no disrespect to anyone within the community. Just living my life.
“I stand by who I am and why I apologised.”
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Irving said his time away from the game both due to off-court issues gave him “time to appreciate life in a new way”.
“I think that’s another day where I can really go into details about it. I’m not the person to really speak on names or go to someone behind their back and leak stuff to the media – that’s never been me,” he said.
“I’ve seen people say things abut me that ultimately just fall off my shoulder.
“I just know I need healthy boundaries.
“There’s a lot of disrespect that goes on with peoples families, with their names and I’m just not with it.
“It’s nothing personal against those guys in the front office (at the Nets).
“I went in there … a kid with a dream on my mind with KD (Kevin Durant) – we wanted to bring a championship to a young organisation.
“It’s in my blood, I’ve cheered for them.
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“But when things start to change and you’re not getting transparency and honesty … I don’t know what person feels comfortable and confident in that environment.
“It’s water under the bridge now. I wish them well – I left them in fourth place. I did what I was supposed to do.”
Brooklyn shipped both Irving, an eight-time All-Star and Markieff Morris to the Mavericks in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie and a couple of picks.
Irving now teams up with superstar Luka Doncic at Dallas in a move coach Jason Kidd says will “put us in a position to win a championship”.
“You can’t ask for a better situation.”
