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Nets’ Kyrie Irving out to prove he can be a leader

Kyrie Irving may claim he’s not out to change minds or erase stigmas, but he sure heard all the doubts and questions about him last season. Now the Nets star is out to answer them — and prove what kind of leader he can be.

“My focus is not [on narratives]. I can’t pour energy into that. The reality is we’re here, and for the last year you guys asked my teammates a bunch of questions — about me, specifically and why I’m not here,” Irving said. “Now that I’m here we get to see the consistent effort I would’ve put forth last year, and the year before that if everyone started off the season healthy and we had a good start.

“I understand the position I’m in and I carry it with humble responsibility of being able to lead by example and not just being a person who comes up with a bunch of fancy words but actually acts on it. Just figuring that out daily is not a perfect job or easy job. And it’s not meant to be a solo act; I got a lot of help out here.”

LeBron James was the unquestioned leader in Cleveland, and Irving’s leadership in Boston proved unsuccessful.

Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving
USA TODAY Sports

Last season, his leadership on the Nets was compromised by his refusal to adhere to New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. It contributed to Irving losing out on a max extension — as well as being criticized in many circles.

“It was extremely, extremely sad to see how many people that I looked up to said disparaging remarks about me or my family, or about the way I felt about my decision,” Irving said on Stadium. “And it’s still going on to this day. And it’s unfortunate.”

Irving has a chance to show what kind of leader he can be this season. And even though he insists he’s not trying to reset the narrative, Nic Claxton and Steve Nash can see Irving is intent on ending that stigma.

“I don’t know if it’s for me to say but it’s kind of inevitable in some respects,” Nash said. “From his opening press conference where he felt like there was a narrative around him, that implies that he wants to change that. But all I can judge is his effort and his attitude, and both have been exceptional.”

Irving has called leading his childhood team a dream job. Asked what finally winning an NBA title would do for the Nets, he replied “I’ll probably have an answer for you in six to nine months.”


Day’Ron Sharpe looks set to play a bigger rotational role after reshaping his body this summer.

“They always telling me different [BMI] formulas and stuff, so I really don’t know the numbers,” Sharpe said. “But I know I look good.”


Seth Curry (left ankle), Joe Harris (left foot soreness) and TJ Warren (left foot) are all out. Curry is expected to go four-on-four Wednesday or Thursday.


Jaxson Hayes (elbow) is questionable for New Orleans, while Kira Lewis Jr., EJ Liddell are out.

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