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Kyrie Irving Felt “Disrespected” by Nets

Former Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving is no stranger to controversy. Days after getting traded to Dallas after demanding a trade out of town, Irving threw his former employer under…

kyrie Irving

BROOKLYN, NY – NOVEMBER 20: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 20, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Former Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving is no stranger to controversy. Days after getting traded to Dallas after demanding a trade out of town, Irving threw his former employer under the bus in his introductory press conference with the Mavericks on Tuesday.

"When I was in Brooklyn where I felt very disrespected and my talent -- I work extremely hard at what I do. No one ever talks about my work ethic, though. Everyone talks about what I'm doing off the floor, so I just wanted to change that narrative, write my own story and just continue preparing in the gym, and now that I'm in Dallas, just focus on what I control."

Irving had a tumultuous stay in Brooklyn. He missed time on the court various times for injuries and missed a whole chunk of the 2021-22 season due to issues with getting vaccinated against COVID-19. This season he was suspended eight games after sharing links to a movie with anti-Semitic beliefs on his social media, and needed to be prodded by the Nets and the Anti Defamation League for an apology.

With the Nets at 31-20, Irving demanded a trade out of Brooklyn when a story broke that neither he nor the Nets could agree on a long term contract extension.

While Irving relishes being apart of the Mavericks, who are in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference, the Nets have now dropped two in a row since the deal was completed that brought back Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and draft picks to Brooklyn.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 07: Cam Thomas #24 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during their game at Barclays Center on February 07, 2023 in New York City. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

On Tuesday the Nets fell to the Phoenix Suns 116-112. While Cam Thomas was again amazing for Brooklyn, leading the way with 43 points, nobody else reached the 20-point mark for Brooklyn. Thanks to Thomas' prowess at the free throw line, the Nets were able to trim the deficit to just one-point, 112-111, but Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton were also perfect from the charity stripe for Phoenix.

Brooklyn (32-22) lost both match-up with the Suns (30-26) this season. Phoenix, who appeared DOA earlier this year has won eight of its last ten to get back into the mix. The Nets have slipped to fifth in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland (34-22), and will face Chicago on Thursday.

Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.