‘I don’t plan on going anywhere’ Kyrie Irving reflects on season following loss vs. Celtics

The Brooklyn Nets were swept in a four-game series against the Celtics on Monday to end its whirlwind season featuring COVID-19, trades and more. Nets guard Kyrie Irving reflected on the season in the postgame conference but assured fans, “I don’t plan on going anywhere,” regarding signing an extension with the franchise.

“I’ve been recognized for my greatness, but at this point I really just want to be part of a great team… I felt like I was letting the team down at a point when I wasn’t able to play. We were trying to exercise every option for me to play but I never wanted it to just be about me. It became a distraction at times.”

At the beginning of the season, all eyes were on Brooklyn as Irving wasn’t able to play or practice until he was eligible to be a full participant due to his vaccination status. Last August, former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio issued an executive order that required New York City-area professional athletes to show proof of at least one approved COVID-19 vaccine shot to practice or play in the city. As a result, Irving took time away from the team.

He rejoined the team in December and played in his season debut on Jan. 5, being able to participate in road games and practice. Around the time of his return, Brooklyn was hit with a COVID-19 outbreak that sidelined seven players. Irving returned to the court for full status in March when New York City exempted professional athletes and performers from its private sector vaccine mandate.

Earlier in the season, Brooklyn traded big-three member, James Harden, to Philadelphia in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks. The blockbuster trade was the second in recent memory for Harden as he joined the Nets in January 2021 as part of a four-team trade between the Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn.

Harden, Irving and Kevin Durant only played 16 games together. Durant was asked following Monday’s game if he had any regrets of not taking advantage of the “Big 3”.

“No regrets,” Durant said. “No crying over spilled milk. It’s about how we can progress.. Just played out the way it did.”

Simmons did not play a game this season although he was expected to play in Game 4 as long as his rehabilitation process for a herniated disc in his back remained on course, The Athletic reported last week. However, head coach Steve Nash believes Simmons and Joe Harris “will give us a good lift.”

Brooklyn finished the regular-season with a 44-38 record and entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed after defeating the Cavaliers in the Play-In Tournament.

(Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)