The Knightly News

Ismail Sy

Sports Editor

Okay, I am going to come right out and say it: I think people have forgotten how good of a basketball player Kyrie Irving is. The guy is one of the most gifted players in the history of basketball. His ball handling, his finishing at the rim, and his mid-range game make him one of the most elite points guards of the NBA. However, he is also one of the most misunderstood stars in the game today due to one thing: his quirkiness. 

Kyrie just has a way of doing things that does not really please others, and by others, I mean the media. Kyrie and the media have always had a hate-hate relationship. When Irving had to take a break from basketball due to his mental health not being in the best place after the capitol riots, the media bashed him, including certain people at ESPN calling for Kyrie’s retirement because it seems like “he is not interested in the game”. There was also his flat earth comments, which he later clarified to be “trolling”. The way he exited Cleveland, just one season after winning a championship, was not handled in the best way as well, and Kyrie himself even admitted that he should have been more mature. At the end of the day, we have to realize that Kyrie is human just like the rest of us, and if he needs a break to recuperate, then he should take it. His personal life should not be the main topic of discussion when we talk about Kyrie Irving. We should not hold past mistakes against someone who has admitted their missteps and moved on, especially when he is a better person now. 

What about discussing all the stuff he does on the basketball court. He was just selected to his seventh all star game. He is averaging a career high in points this season. He is an NBA champion, hitting one of the biggest shots in NBA history back in 2016. He is the best ball handler, and one of the best finishers in the game today. He has been praised for being a great teammate, and always bringing out the best in them. He is a top 3 point guard in the NBA. The list just goes on, and on.

Every time I watch Kyrie Irving play, I am just in awe at how effortless he makes it look. I mean the guy is one of the best bucket generators in NBA history. Personally, I do not really care about all his antics because it’s not like they are the most horrible things in the world. Also, every time this guy speaks, the media tries to twist what he says, such as twisting his flat earth joke into something serious. You could see him laughing about it, and yet everyone was quick to hop on his case. The bottom line is this: Kyrie Irving is one of the most picked on stars in the NBA today, and it’s time that we stop picking on him, and enjoy what he brings to the game of basketball every single night.

Picture Source: Vinny Nardella (@vnardella5 on Twitter)