Did Kyrie Irving one-up Marshawn Lynch?
Lynch is known for saying all sorts of hilarious things, but perhaps his best work came during Super Bowl Media Day in 2015. After reportedly being threatened with a $500,000 fine if he didn't speak with the media, Lynch answered every single question with some form of "I'm just here so I don't get fined."
Like Lynch, Irving has never been a fan of dealing with the media. It may have something to do with his tendency to say stupid things about how the Earth is flat. Or maybe it's because he has gotten weird questions from reporters, like someone asking him if LeBron James played a fatherly role toward him. It's possible there's some blame on both sides.
Whoever's to blame, it seems that Irving is now looking for ways to get out of media obligations. Instead of speaking with reporters as part of the NBA's media week, the Nets guard issued a statement Friday through a team spokesperson, citing his lack of trust in the media as the reason for his absence.
"Instead of speaking to the media today, I am issuing this statement to ensure that my message is conveyed properly," Irving said in the statement.
Kyrie Irving issued a statement that says, in part: “My goal this season is to let my work on and off the court speak for itself.”
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) December 4, 2020
He said he is issuing this statement instead of speaking with reporters. pic.twitter.com/ninUzAnhzC
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In Irving's statement, he addressed the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the virus "has impacted us all in many ways," and that he prays "for the safety and health of our communities domestically and abroad."
Irving also addressed his goals for the Nets in the upcoming season and explained that he plans on making some changes to the way he operates.
"I am committed to show up to work every[]day, ready to have fun, compete, perform and win championships alongside my teammates and colleagues in the Nets organization," Irving said. "My goal this season is to let my work on and off the court speak for itself. Life hit differently this year and it requires us, it requires me, to move differently. So, this is the beginning of that change.”
It seems as if Irving's substitution of a statement for availability could be a sign of what's to come this season. So did he figure out a way to cheat the system? Well, it depends on how much of his paycheck he's willing to lose, as some reporters are claiming his sending out a statement violates NBA policy.