NBA iconoclast Kyrie Irving has one championship ring (Cleveland Cavaliers 2016) and a big reputation for being able to break down defenses off the dribble. Indisputably among the most talented of all NBA players, Irving wears his unique standing on his sleeve, sometimes taking controversial positions that he doesn’t feel compelled to explain to anyone. (He has refused to be vaccinated against Covid, for example, costing him salary and court time last season.)
Irving relishes marching to his own drummer — and fans tend to appreciate it. The individuality is part of his brand.
So it’s no surprise that on Brooklyn Nets day, most of the Nets showed up in Brooklyn Nets gear while Irving didn’t even wear the colors. Even Nets superstar Kevin Durant donned a Nets jersey and color-coordinated warmups, while Irving wore beige.
It didn’t seem to bother the fans in Brooklyn, who screamed out Irving’s name and begged for autographs.
One fan in the background here is heard yelling, “Kyrie, come to the Lakers man!” And Kyrie’s khaki colorway was a little closer to LA than Brooklyn.
Irving’s sartorial choice — a move to stand apart from his team and to assert his individuality on a team day — certainly didn’t go unremarked upon on social media.
“I see Kyrie has on the right uniform,” wrote one fan sarcastically. And it’s not as if Irving doesn’t have the Brooklyn gear — he’s holding the jersey in the video below. But that’s as close Kyrie Irving likes to get to, well, uniformity.
Nets fans are generally okay with that, because when Irving is on the court, he’s largely an unselfish team player who delivers. But is he courting dissension, which the Nets don’t need more of? Fans will decide based on the wins and losses.
