Tag: kyrie irving

Nets trade Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris to Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and draft picks

The Dallas Mavericks have acquired eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving along with forward/center Markieff Morris in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets for guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and two future second-round picks.

“We’re excited to add Spencer and Dorian to our roster, while also securing draft compensation that will increase our flexibility moving forward,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “Spencer is a dynamic, multi-talented guard who we are very familiar with from his previous stint in Brooklyn. Dorian is an experienced wing who brings perimeter shooting and defensive versatility to our group. Together, the two players will fit seamlessly with our roster and provide the team with proven veteran talent.”

Irving (6-2, 191) holds career averages of 23.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 34.2 minutes in 651 games (all starts) with Cleveland, Boston and Brooklyn. He has shot 47.1% (5,582-11,853 FG) from the floor, 39.1% (1,501-3,835 3FG) from 3-point range and 88.2% (2,508-of-2,842) from the foul line for his career. Irving has appeared in 40 games (all starts) for the Nets this season and is averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 36.9 minutes.

Irving is one of seven players averaging 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in 2022-23. Among 40 players using two-or-more iso possessions/game, Irving’s 1.28 points/possession lead the NBA and are the highest for any player (min. 2.0 iso possessions/game) since the statistic was first tracked in 2015-16.

Upon the conclusion of the 2020-21 regular season, Irving became the ninth player in NBA history to join the 50-40-90 club after shooting 50.6% from the field, 40.2% from 3-point range and 92.2% from the free throw line. Irving became only the fourth player to average over 25.0 points while making the 50-40-90 club, joining Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Larry Bird.

The 30-year-old is an eight-time All-Star, a three-time All-NBA selection and helped Cleveland to their lone NBA Championship in 2016. Selected as a starter for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Irving has been an All-Star starter in each of the last five All-Star games in which he has played (2017-19, 2021 and 2023) and was named the All-Star Game MVP in 2014.

Irving was selected by Cleveland with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft after a season at Duke University, where he averaged 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in 11 games. As a high school senior at St. Patrick High School (NJ) in 2010, Irving was named a McDonald’s All-American, was selected to the First Team All-America by Parade Magazine and USA Today, and was named a finalist for the Naismith High School Player of the Year.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, while his father was playing professional basketball for the Bulleen Boomers, Irving moved to the United States when he was two years old. He elected to represent the United States national team and helped the Americans win a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. With the win, Irving became just the fourth member of Team USA to capture the NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year, joining LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen.

Irving’s community work includes his KAI Family Enterprise, which seeks to uplift underrepresented entrepreneurs and businesses that do not have access to proper guidance in the business world. Amongst his philanthropic endeavors, Irving has donated $1.5 million to help cover the salaries of WNBA players who opted out of the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic, paid off the tuition for nine students at HBCU Lincoln University, gave $323,000 to Feeding America during the COVID-19 pandemic, and partnered with City Harvest to donate 250,000 meals across the New York area.

Irving will wear No. 2 for the Mavericks.

Morris (6-9, 250) holds career averages of 10.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 24.3 minutes over 742 games (377 starts) with Phoenix, Washington, Oklahoma City, Detroit, the L.A. Lakers, Miami and Brooklyn. He has shot 44.6% (3,051-6,844 FG) from the field, 34.2% (627-1,831 3FG) from beyond the arc and 77.8% (1,189-1,528 FT) from the free throw line in his career. Morris appeared in 27 games for the Nets in 2022-23 and averaged 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 10.6 minutes.

Selected 13th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Suns, the University of Kansas product won an NBA Championship in 2020 with the Lakers. He averaged 5.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 18.4 minutes per game in 21 games (2 starts) during the Lakers’ postseason run.

In the community, Markieff and his twin brother, Marcus, started the Family Over Everything Foundation to provide support and guidance that helps alleviate the burdens, financial and otherwise, faced by many single parents, families in underserved communities, and at-risk members of society.

Morris will wear No. 13 for the Mavericks.

Dinwiddie (6-5, 215) was acquired by Dallas along with Dāvis Bertāns from the Washington Wizards on Feb. 10, 2022, in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis and a protected second-round pick. Over his two partial seasons with the Mavericks, Dinwiddie averaged 17.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 32.3 minutes per game over 76 games (60 starts).

Finney-Smith (6-7, 220) went undrafted in 2016 but signed with Dallas as a free agent on July 8, 2016. He was re-signed in July 2019, and then signed a contract extension with the Mavericks on Feb. 12, 2022. During his seven seasons with Dallas, Finney-Smith averaged 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 27.8 minutes over 434 games (322 starts).

Nets beat Hawks, extend winning streak to 10 straight games

The Nets have won 10 games in a row. Tonight’s win, a tight 108-107 victory against a short-handed Atlanta Hawks team who were without Trae Young, Clint Capela and supporting cast players, was too close for comfort. But the win streak continues. Via the New York Daily News:

“[Winning 10 in a row] sounds good, especially since there’s just been an up and down vibe with our team the past few years,” Kevin Durant said postgame. “So it’s good to win a game and have some fun.”

The Hawks built a 15-point second-quarter lead in part due to Jacque Vaughn’s first truly confusing move since taking Steve Nash’s post as head coach in Brooklyn. His rotations have traditionally been tight, even tighter when it comes to the two superstars: Durant normally plays the entire first quarter, while Kyrie Irving traditionally sits the final few minutes of the first to lead the reserves in the second quarter while Durant gets a rest.

On Wednesday, Vaughn veered from the norm. He played both Irving and Durant the entire opening period — and sat both of Brooklyn’s stars to start the second quarter.

Of course the Hawks went on a run and built a lead five points shy of 20. Vaughn had a lineup of Patty Mills, Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Yuta Watanabe and T.J. Warren on the floor until taking a timeout at the 5:25 mark of the second quarter.

Via the New York Post:

Kyrie Irving had a team-high 28 points while Kevin Durant added 26. The pair combined to double Hawks star Dejounte Murray — who had 24 — into the fateful, final miss at the buzzer, preserving the rally.

“They’re playing great basketball and as I said to the team, they’re hot as a firecracker,” Atlanta coach Nate McMillan had warned. “They have of course, Kyrie and Durant that are elite players; but the supporting cast is playing really good basketball, shooting the ball extremely well from the floor.

“They’re playing a lot of guys, they have a lot of dangerous guys that are playing off of those guys. So they’re playing, I think they’re becoming the team that a lot of people thought they would be. And right now they’re playing the hottest team.”

Nets suspend Kyrie Irving

STATEMENT FROM THE BROOKLYN NETS

“Over the last several days, we have made repeated attempts to work with Kyrie Irving to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate. We believed that taking the path of education in this challenging situation would be the right one and thought that we had made progress with our joint commitment to eradicating hate and intolerance.

We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity – but failed – to clarify.

Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team. Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets. We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct and the suspension period served is no less than five games.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on Kyrie Irving

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today issued the following statement:

“Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material. While we appreciate the fact that he agreed to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize. I will be meeting with Kyrie in person in the next week to discuss this situation.”

Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets and the ADL issue joint statement

JOINT STATEMENT FROM KYRIE IRVING, THE BROOKLYN NETS, AND THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE

The events of the past week have sparked many emotions within the Nets organization, our Brooklyn community, and the nation. The public discourse that followed has brought greater awareness to the challenges we face as a society when it comes to combating hate and hate speech. We are ready to take on this challenge and we recognize that this is a unique moment to make a lasting impact.

To promote education within our community, Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets will each donate $500,000 toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities. The Nets and Kyrie Irving will work with ADL (the Anti-Defamation League), a nonprofit organization devoted to fighting antisemitism and all types of hate that undermine justice and fair treatment for every individual. This is an effort to develop educational programming that is inclusive and will comprehensively combat all forms of antisemitism and bigotry.

“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day,” said Kyrie Irving. “I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light.”

“There is no room for antisemitism, racism, false narratives or misguided attempts to create animosity and hate,” said Sam Zussman, Chief Executive Officer of BSE Global, parent company of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center. “Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need to ensure education in these areas. We are putting our prior statements into practice because actions speak louder than words.”

“At a time when antisemitism has reached historic levels, we know the best way to fight the oldest hatred is to both confront it head-on and also to change hearts and minds. With this partnership, ADL will work with the Nets and Kyrie to open dialogue and increase understanding,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance and call out the use of anti-Jewish stereotypes and tropes – whatever, whoever, or wherever the source – as we work toward a world without hate.”

As in past years, the Brooklyn Nets will continue to support and participate in Shine A Light, an ongoing initiative dedicated to spotlighting modern day antisemitism.

Additionally, to ensure a sustainable and meaningful impact in driving awareness and education on the important topics of hatred based on race, ethnicity, and religion, the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty and the teams’ affiliated organizations will host a series of community conversations at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, in partnership with ADL and other national civil rights organizations as well as local community associations.

InsideHoops.com Reaction: Nice big step here from multiple parties. Collectively, a positive effort. And the large financial donations, assuming they go to organizations that do fight antisemitism, are very generous and an impressive gesture. One issue: What Kyrie said above isn’t really an actual apology. Taking responsibility for doing something just means “yeah, I did that.” Doesn’t mean you’re sorry for doing it. I ordered a pizza earlier, and guess what? I take responsibility for ordering that pizza. As for specifics about the film’s rabid, hardcore antisemitism (it promoted Holocaust denial, presented Adolf Hitler as a source worth listening to, and other disgusting things), Kyrie seems intentionally vague. Hitler hated Black people. Yet Kyrie watched a film that plugged Hitler, and his “free thinker” brain kept rolling with it? No alarm in his head went off? And despite a long-time history of making questionable decisions (Earth is round, Kyrie), he is still, as of tonight, a vice president in the NBA Players Union.

Celtics take 2-0 playoff series lead on Nets

Via the New York Daily News:

Steve Nash wants fans to think that the Nets’ playoff aspirations aren’t just dependent on Kevin Durant; his team’s success is a result of good teamwork rather than the superstars they signed to max contracts.

The Nets’ 114-107 Game 2 defeat to the Celtics, as well as a regular season that spiraled while both of those stars were unavailable, proved otherwise. The Nets’ supporting cast couldn’t handle the weight in a game where none of their stars showed up.

Durant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP and four-time NBA scoring champion, bowed to the pressure and intensity of the league-best Celtics’ defense for the second game in a row. And the Nets paid the price with a loss for the second game in a row, which hurt even more than the buzzer-beating game-winner that lost them Game 1.

In Game 2, Durant turned the ball over six times after missing 15 shots and turning the ball over six times in Game 1, and he shot 4-of-17 from the field for 27 points, almost all of which came at the foul line. He went to the free throw line 20 times, converting on 18 of them.

— Full Article

Nets fined $50,000 by NBA for Kyrie Irving reasons

The Brooklyn Nets organization has been fined $50,000 for violating local New York City law and league health and safety protocols during the team’s March 13th game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center, the NBA announced today.

The violation occurred when the Nets permitted Kyrie Irving, who was in attendance at the game, to enter the team’s locker room.

Nets to reportedly sign Goran Dragic

The Nets, per multiple reports, will be signing a veteran point guard who can help maintain backcourt order while the team waits for Ben Simmons to become available while dealing with Kyrie Irving only being allowed to play road games due to coronavirus safety restrictions in New York. And one who is already quite familiar with Nets head coach Steve Nash: Goran Dragic. Via Bleacher Report:

Ahead of the trade deadline, the Toronto Raptors sent Dragic to the San Antonio Spurs in a deal for Thaddeus Young. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported his time in San Antonio wasn’t expected to be long, with the Spurs likely to buy out the final year of his contract.

Dragic originally landed with the Raptors as part of the Miami Heat’s sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry. Many believed his time with Toronto would be a marriage of convenience, with the team moving him on at a later date.

Per the New York Daily News, “adding Dragic to the Nets backcourt addresses several needs. He is no superstar, but he has played at a high level — both in the NBA and internationally — for decades. He was a 2018 NBA All-Star and has averaged 14 points and five assists per game entering his 14th NBA season. And he is set to play inspired basketball after landing in Toronto as part of the Kyle Lowry trade to the Miami Heat, only to be benched and dealt to the Spurs at the trade deadline.”

The Nets are just 31-28 this season, which is the 8th best record in the Eastern conference. Their season has been more about missed games than stars being available to play together. Adding Dragic is a solid move for the sake of stability.

Will Kyrie Irving’s availability change for Nets this season?

Will the Nets eventually have Kyrie Irving available as a full-time player this season? Well, maybe? It’s possible. Many things are possible. This is one such example. Via the NY Post:

Kyrie Irving expressed optimism Thursday night that an eventual relaxation of COVID-19 vaccination mandates could alter his part-time status with the Nets at some point this season.

General manager Sean Marks, whose sinking team executed the blockbuster trade of James Harden on Thursday, shortly before losing its 10th consecutive game, also sounds hopeful the unvaccinated Irving eventually will be able to participate in home games in Brooklyn.

“The decision on the [New York City] mandate, that’s obviously far above my pay grade and not something that I’m overly concerned about now,” Marks said Friday. “I mean, I think we’re always going to be optimistic.”

Nets bring back Kyrie Irving, who will only be able to play road games

Official statement from Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks on guard Kyrie Irving, who currently still cannot play home games at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center due to New York’s vaccine mandate:

“After discussions with our coaches, players and staff, the organization has decided to have Kyrie Irving rejoin the team for games and practices in which he is eligible to participate. We arrived at this decision with the full support of our players and after careful consideration of our current circumstances, including players missing games due to injuries and health and safety protocols. We believe that the addition of Kyrie will not only make us a better team but allow us to more optimally balance the physical demand on the entire roster. We look forward to Kyrie’s return to the lineup, as well as getting our entire roster back together on the court.”

Per the New York Daily News, “news of his return comes as the NBA reels in the wake of the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Irving, who has opted not to get vaccinated, will return as a second wave of positive COVID-19 cases hits the NBA entering the new year, in particular a Nets team currently missing seven players in the league’s health and safety protocols.”