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Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving is extending an olive branch to the media — finally meeting with reporters Monday and insisting his “pawns” comment last week wasn’t a shot at them.
The Brooklyn Nets star also walked back some comments about head coach Steve Nash — so, yeah … lot’s going on here!
First, the “Pawns” issue …
Remember, Irving was fined $25,000 for blowing off NBA media obligations last week. He later issued a statement saying, “I do not talk to Pawns. My attention is worth more.”
Most interpreted the comment as a shot at journalists — but when he was asked about it on Monday, Irving explained how he meant to say he’s trying to eliminate everything in his life that could be considered a distraction from basketball.
“The focus is what’s going on here, my job.” Irving said. “And I wanted to make sure that was clear — no distractions, nothing about dispelling anything, nothing about going back-and-forth, nothing about calling out one person or another.”
“Not even referring to you guys as pawns or media. It’s just really how I felt about the mistreatment of certain artists when we get to a certain platform of when we make decisions within of lives to have full control and ownership.”
Then, Irving addressed the comments he made about Steve Nash earlier this year … right after Nash was hired as head coach.
Remember, Irving had said, “I don’t really see us having a head coach … it’s a collaborative effort.”
Not exactly a ringing endorsement of his new coach … but Irving walked back those comments on Monday — praising Nash in the process.
“Steve’s been amazing and it really is a reflection of the type of person he is and the IQ he has for the game,” Irving said.
“I think I gotta take my comments in terms of head coach back a few months ago. But it’s like, man, we have such a great synergy everyone feels like we’re coaching one another to be better. So, I’m grateful for that.”