Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving allegedly proposed that NBA players should start their own league in a team group chat.
What We Know:
- According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, Irving told his teammates they should skip the NBA’s restart. He also suggested that players could form their own league. Bondy clarified that Irving’s idea about starting a new league was not a response to the NBA’s restart bubble. According to Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, Irving never proposed to start a new league in response to the bubble. She added that he left the team group chat after reports surfaced.
In a recent chat group with Nets players, Kyrie Irving lobbied for skipping the bubble, the Daily News has learned. In that chat, he also proposed that the players can start their own league, according to a source. https://t.co/SqC0wcccPJ
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) June 16, 2020
Sources tell me that Kyrie Irving never stated that the Nets should begin their own league in response to the bubble.
I'm told that after that report came out, he left the group chat.
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) June 17, 2020
- The NBA’s plan to restart the season in the Orlando “bubble” has spurred controversy amongst its players. Kyrie Irving has been one of the most outspoken players against the NBA’s restart. Irving and Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley are leading a coalition of players to give a voice to anyone wishing to voice their concerns about the league’s plan. Over 80 players have participated in conference calls this week, discussing if it is the right idea for the season to resume. Irving is also a vice president of the NBA player’s union and player representative for the Brooklyn Nets.
- Irving is also among those who are concerned that basketball will distract from the nationwide movement for racial justice. Many players have participated in protests following the killing of George Floyd. Stephen Jackson, retired player and friend of Floyd, said that Floyd’s death has weighed heavily on Irving. He said Irving has called him in tears about the topic several times. Jackson fully supports Irving and all players willing to sit out the NBA season.
- Matt Barnes, who co-hosts the “All The Smoke” podcast with Jackson, has been critical of Irving. He claims that Irving originally wanted to support his team in Orlando, but “flipped the script” when he found out he would not be allowed to go.
Matt Barnes speaking the truth per usual. I highly suggest checking out the full IGTV post with Stak on Matts profile… pic.twitter.com/rjLz6qfQwc
— BasketballZack (@ZackBKHoops) June 15, 2020
- The NBA informed all 30 teams that bringing attention and action to “issues of social injustice” will be a central goal. Furthermore, the NBA will not punish any player who decides not to return for the season.
Along with racial injustice, many players are also voicing their concerns about the safety of restarting the NBA season during the COVID-19 pandemic.
