On Wednesday, after scoring 38 points in a win over Detroit, Kyrie Irving’s postgame media session lasted just under eight minutes. He was asked about the brilliance of his teammate, Kevin Durant. “I definitely don’t take it for granted,” Irving said. About the defensive presence of Nic Claxton. “He’s an asset,” said Irving. About the poise the Nets have shown of late. “When one of our leaders like [Durant] gets going,” said Irving, “we keep pushing.” Equally important was what he was not asked about: antisemitic films, vaccines or any off-the-floor issues.
In recent weeks, the storms that have enveloped Irving for much of the last two seasons have subsided. The controversies—self-inflicted, for the most part—have faded away. It’s left Irving to do all he says he has ever wanted: Play basketball. And it’s offered a reminder that when Irving does, he’s pretty damn good.
Over the last dozen games—where Brooklyn has won 11 of them, vaulting the Nets into the top four of the Eastern Conference—Irving has been spectacular. He’s averaging 29.3 points in December. In his last five games—Irving missed Brooklyn’s most recent win over Golden State with a calf strain—that number jumps to 32. He’s been durable (36.6 minutes per game), efficient (49%) and reliable in the clutch. After Irving buried a game-winning three to beat Toronto last week, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn praised not only the shot (“He did what he does,” said Vaughn) but the assist Irving picked up on a Yuta Watanabe three one possession earlier.
