Stephen A. Smith: "Not Hearing Good Things About Kyrie Irving In Brooklyn"

[CelticsElite]

Stephen A. Smith revealed he has heard negative things about the attitude of Kyrie Irving since joining the Brooklyn Nets.

Irving's mood has been a well-documented subject dating back to his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but especially during his tenure with the Boston Celtics.

"I am not hearing good things about Kyrie in Brooklyn," said Smith. "People are putting stuff out there. I don’t think it’s fair, I don’t know how accurate it is. If Kyrie’s listening, I’m telling you there is stuff circulating out there about him from an attitude perspective. I don’t think it’s right.”

Irving has recently been missing games with a shoulder injury.

https://nesn.com/2019/11/stephen-a-smith-not-hearing-good-things-about-kyrie-irving-with-nets/

[SparzWizard]

Haaahaha Brooklyn must be regretting giving him that contract

[makaveli]

Haaahaha Brooklyn must be regretting giving him that contract

Yeah but i bet there are plenty of teams how would give a lot of trade assets to get him

On a side note, i don’t give a lot of significanse to the reports of attitude etc, the only evidence is our current record

[Moranis]

This is pretty misleading given he doesn't think the "rumors" are accurate nor is he actually reporting anything.  If he was coming out and citing sources (even anonymous ones) I would put at least some level of stock in it, but he didn't do that.  For all anyone knows he was just commenting on Jackie's story from last month.  Certainly wouldn't put that past Stephen A. 

[nickagneta]

Stephen A. is pretty plugged into the New York market. My guess is he is hearing a bunch of stuff through contacts, not just reading Jackie Mac article from a month ago.

[jambr380]

This is pretty misleading given he doesn't think the "rumors" are accurate nor is he actually reporting anything.  If he was coming out and citing sources (even anonymous ones) I would put at least some level of stock in it, but he didn't do that.  For all anyone knows he was just commenting on Jackie's story from last month.  Certainly wouldn't put that past Stephen A.

No, but I suppose the oddest part is that Smith has been a Kyrie supporter (while Kellerman has not). If you are continually backing a guy, it seems odd to put out a false narrative about him if there isn't some truth to it.

You are right that I wouldn't put anything past SAS, though.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This is pretty misleading given he doesn't think the "rumors" are accurate nor is he actually reporting anything.  If he was coming out and citing sources (even anonymous ones) I would put at least some level of stock in it, but he didn't do that.  For all anyone knows he was just commenting on Jackie's story from last month.  Certainly wouldn't put that past Stephen A.

I don't think he was saying he thought the reports were inaccurate. I think he was reporting that he was hearing some bad things, but he didn't agree with their assessment of Kyrie.

[Fafnir]

Stephen A. is pretty plugged into the New York market. My guess is he is hearing a bunch of stuff through contacts, not just reading Jackie Mac article from a month ago.

Yeah I think he's getting some third/fourth/fifth hand grumbling about Kyrie and he wants to hedge his "pro-Kyrie" bets.

[gouki88]

This is pretty misleading given he doesn't think the "rumors" are accurate nor is he actually reporting anything.  If he was coming out and citing sources (even anonymous ones) I would put at least some level of stock in it, but he didn't do that.  For all anyone knows he was just commenting on Jackie's story from last month.  Certainly wouldn't put that past Stephen A.

I don't think he was saying he thought the reports were inaccurate. I think he was reporting that he was hearing some bad things, but he didn't agree with their assessment of Kyrie.

That's how I'm hearing it too.

[tonydelk]

At this point does it really matter?  I know we want to feel justified for losing him for nothing because we gave up assets for him.  I'm just enjoying Celtic Basketball again for the first time in a few years and for me that alone is enough to justify using Kyrie as the reason the Celtics did not live up to expectations last year.  that and the fact that I watch every game and it's easy to see how Uncle Drew dominated the ball, slowed down the offense and was a horribly poor leader.  This year it's different.  It's fun, guys are active and look happy.  This alone should prove the narrative that Kyrie was a cog in the wheel.

[jambr380]

At this point does it really matter?  I know we want to feel justified for losing him for nothing because we gave up assets for him.  I'm just enjoying Celtic Basketball again for the first time in a few years and for me that alone is enough to justify using Kyrie as the reason the Celtics did not live up to expectations last year.  that and the fact that I watch every game and it's easy to see how Uncle Drew dominated the ball, slowed down the offense and was a horribly poor leader.  This year it's different.  It's fun, guys are active and look happy.  This alone should prove the narrative that Kyrie was a cog in the wheel.

Since we were able to sign Kemba at the same time Kyrie left, I don't think people really care anymore that we gave up assets to get him. It more seems that we gave up assets to trade for Kemba. We've been lucky to have All-NBA PGs these past several years with IT/Kyrie/Kemba and with IT having his injury issues, Danny made a bold move that basically paid off in the form of Kyrie. The way I see it, Al wanted a different role and more money on a better team. It was still possible to keep Al even after signing Kemba (although it would have been more complicated).

Anyway, you are basically right - because last year was such a mess and because he chose to leave us after verbally committing to us, many people are just happy to hear things might not be going so well. It is a little petty, but not unlike a personal relationship that might have ended badly. You might not want that person dead, but you don't want massive success for that person either.

[BringToughnessBack]

I actually hope Kyrie finds a place where he is comfortable and happy(preferably out of our conference). I did not think going back home to that NY media frenzy would be a great environment for him and as long as he has to be the top dog until Durant returns, it just magnifies things even further.  I have moved on though and enjoying our current team a ton. I hope we beat that Nets team by 30 points next Wed!

[celticsclay]

Stephen A. is pretty plugged into the New York market. My guess is he is hearing a bunch of stuff through contacts, not just reading Jackie Mac article from a month ago.

Yea this is my take as well. I have now have heard similar comments from Stephen A. Smith, the Ringer NBA show and Jackie Mac all reporting some concern on Kyrie's mood and attitude (and the mac story and this were like a month apart). Really confused why some are still doubting these are real issues and problems... (not to mentioning there has been some pretty unflattering in game video of Kyrie interacting with teammates).

[wiley]

Kyrie needs a shadow to hide in....to be left alone...

Durant's return will help a a lot with this by A. Winning more games, B. taking some of the media spotlight.  But it won't be enough.

Both Durant and Kyrie are going to need to find their way under Lebron's mega shadow, either in Brooklyn or LA.   I mean, that's if they want to be left alone to just play.   

[Tr1boy]

They can thank Spencer for recruiting him