The Brooklyn Nets have made a move behind the scenes in order to make Kyrie Irving promptly available to play for their home games in the 2021-2022 season.
In the midst of their downward movement in the East standings due to Kevin Durant knee injury, governor Joe Tsai and the Nets reportedly hired a former New York City Council Speaker to lobby and orchestrate an action on Mayor Eric Adams (h/t New York Post’s Josh Kosman and Brian Lewis).
The action, per Kosman and Lewis, aimed to convince the said NY Mayor to lift the city’s vaccine mandate in order for the unvaccinated Irving to finally play in Brooklyn’s home games.
“It’s clear the mandate change and Irving’s stance put an end to those title hopes. Sitting second in the East on Jan. 15, the Nets dropped 16 of 21 after Durant suffered a left knee injury. They fell to eighth by the time he returned six weeks later — and Tsai took action. On Feb. 6, Irving said, “Anything can happen these next few days, the next week. Just crossing my fingers that something can come up either before All-Star break or even just after.” Two days later — with the Nets on an eight-game losing skid — they hired ex-New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson to lobby new Mayor Eric Adams about changing the mandate so Irving could play at home.”
The New York City COVID vaccine mandate was eventually lifted in late March, paving a way for the All-star guard to finally suit up within the Barclays Center. At that time, the Nets were clinging to the conference’s eight seed, holding a 38-35 card.
The adjustment, perhaps, kept the club’s championship dreams alive, until they were swept by the later East champions in Boston Celtics during their first-round encounter.
Who knows what could’ve happened for the Nets earlier if the hired lobbyist went successful in his agenda. As such, the move may seem to be a subject of investigation by the league.
The concern of Tsai on Irving goes full circle now, as both sides are currently at an impasse regarding their future.
