Latest news with #Nets'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
"Leave me the f—k out of this and let me go somewhere" - Kyrie Irving reveals things with the Nets fell apart because of a COVID-19 vaccine
"Leave me the f—k out of this and let me go somewhere" - Kyrie Irving reveals things with the Nets fell apart because of a COVID-19 vaccine originally appeared on Basketball Network. After three years of never really opening up about what went down during his time on the Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie Irving finally broke his silence and revealed that it went as far as him demanding to be let go by the team. It was all because of Irving's refusal to take the New York mandated COVID-19 vaccine back in 2021, which led the team to suspend the point guard. "Even the people that I was in business with were pro-vaccine. And I'm like, 'Okay look, that's fine, just leave me the f—k out of this, let me go somewhere. I even told the Nets to release me, I said, 'Yo, can you please just release me so I can,' Obviously the money situation is a different situation, I'm f—king Kyrie, I say that very aware of my position, they weren't just going to let me clock out and go somewhere," said Irving via his most recent Twitch stream. Kyrie affected his team's chances Irving's refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine was one of the many off-court issues he had in the same season, which significantly affected the Nets' chances to contend for a championship. Back in 2021, New York Mayor Eric Adams mandated that all of the city's professional sports teams must require their athletes to be vaccinated otherwise they won't be allowed to represent their teams on their home court. Since Irving didn't want to follow suit, he missed a total of 35 games to start the season as well as roughly $380,000 per game. The point guard's absence then left Kevin Durant and James Harden to lead the team by themselves, which went better than expected. Still, the growing concern throughout the season was the missed time and opportunity to build much-needed chemistry and reps. Nets general manager Sean Marks knew that was the case but couldn't really do anything about it. "He has a choice to make, and he made his choice," Marks said. "Again, my job here is to make what we deem as the best decision and best choices for the organization moving ahead as a whole. They're not always ones that are going to be met with open arms and a thumbs-up. These are hard decisions. Just like I'm sure it wasn't easy for Kyrie either to have to make that [decision] to not be around his teammates."Irving wanted to stay true to his beliefs Irving, who admitted at that time that he was neither pro-vaccine nor anti-vaccine, made the decision not to take it because he felt it was a way to stay true to his beliefs. He didn't like the fact that he was being required to take it because that went against his freedom to make his own decisions. The former Nets guard wanted to take his time in deciding whether or not he was going to get vaccinated which ultimately cost him money as well as a chance to win a championship. Kyrie returned to the court by game 36 of that season, but only participated in the Nets' games on the road. He played a total of 29 games and averaged 27.4 points, 5.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 37.6 minutes per game. Unfortunately for him and the Nets, they were eliminated as early as the first round by the Boston Celtics. Kyrie wasn't let go right away by the Nets but was traded to the Dallas Mavericks the following story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nets guard Cam Thomas rebuts critics amid free-agency talks
NEW YORK — All has been quiet on the Cam Thomas front recently. NBA free agency began June 30, but the Nets' polarizing young scoring guard remains unsigned. He is joined by notable restricted free agents like Golden State's Jonathan Kuminga, Chicago's Josh Giddey and Philadelphia's Quentin Grimes. 'I look forward to the summer and look forward to those conversations with [other] free agents, and we'll see where it all plays out,' Nets general manager Sean Marks said in April. 'But I do think it's important to be able to keep your homegrown talent.' Thomas received a $5.99 million qualifying offer from the Nets on June 29, signaling their intent to retain him. As a restricted free agent, he can negotiate and sign an offer sheet with any NBA team. But Brooklyn can match any offer, and with most teams lacking significant cap space, Thomas' options are limited, giving the Nets significant leverage. The 23-year-old averaged a career-high 24 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last season but was limited to 25 games due to injury, leaving experts divided on his worth. The expectation is that Thomas will eventually sign a multi-year contract, likely spanning three to four years, with an annual average value of $20-25 million. 'I know my value,' Thomas told reporters in April. 'I know what I'm worth around the league. It's not really nothing for me to be intimidated or excited about because I know my value that I bring to a team. ... I definitely know I know my value and all my work. I think that's all that matters to me.' Thomas has not spoken extensively about his free agency since the offseason began, but he has been attentive to the discourse surrounding him. Zach Lowe, a prominent NBA analyst, recently discussed Thomas on his podcast, stating: 'The consensus on Cam Thomas — if there is one, with some fans and some mega-detractors — is kind of like 'Empty Calories Ball Hog.' ' As expected, Thomas, confident in his abilities, took Lowe's words personally, though Lowe was merely relaying sentiments from sources. On Friday morning, he responded on social media, posting: 'The consensus? F--- you and the consensus @ZachLowe_NBA. This is most likely the same consensus teams who can't guard me and send double teams from jump ball. Why are we double teaming a guy who's 'not that good' make it make sense please.' Thomas has a point, as do Lowe and his sources, but his offensive output since entering the league is undeniable. He's the youngest NBA player to score 40-plus points in three consecutive games and holds the Nets' record for the most 40-point games by a player 22 or younger. As Nets Wire's Sharif Phillips-Keaton noted, Thomas is among 12 guards who averaged 24.0 points and 3.8 assists per game while shooting at least 43.8% from the field last season, alongside stars like Donovan Mitchell and Stephen Curry.
New York Post
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Egor Demin, Danny Wolf come up big to lead Nets to first summer league win
LAS VEGAS — Egor Demin and Danny Wolf had their most impactful games so far in the summer league. It's no coincidence the Nets got their first victory, a 94-90 escape against Orlando. They escaped because Wolf helped the Nets build a 23-point lead, and — after they frittered it away to just one — Demin closed it out with three huge 3-pointers in the final 2:37 to seal the win. 'Just happy for him. Those were big shots. He stepped in, took them and made them,' said Nets assistant Steve Hetzel, who is coaching summer league. 'He probably felt a sense of relief. This is what he's been trying to show everybody, how good of a player he is. 'We asked the guys to just play one full clean game, and I thought we did three quarters. And then obviously the 39 points in the fourth was kind of a mess.' A hot mess. Behind Wolf (18 points, six rebounds, four assists), the Nets built a 23-point cushion. They still led 77-62 before they allowed a 16-2 run to see it shrink to 79-78 with 2:37 left. That's when Demin — who had 14 points, five rebounds and shot 4-of-8 from deep — shook off early struggles and six turnovers to hit three 3-pointers down the stretch. Danny Wolf, who scored 18 points, looks to make a move during the Nets' 94-90 summer league win over the Magic on July 16, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images The Russian calmly drilled the first from the left corner to stem the tide and made it 82-78 with 2:36 left. Then he hit a transition heat check, and finally a dagger to pad it to 91-83 with 33 seconds to play. The Nets saw it out from there. 'Yeah, it's exciting,' said Demin. 'It's cool. After a couple of turnovers in the row I got a little frustrated. Playing off the ball, I got a couple of catch-and-shoots and one in transition. Exciting for me that they want in.' Egor Demin, who scored 14 points, looks to make a play during the Nets' summer league win over the Magic. NBAE via Getty Images 'Our turnovers and some of the mistakes earlier on caused this comeback. Now it's almost like, OK, how can I prove, right? How can I get it back? That was because in theory it was because of me, right? Part of it was mine, part of it was Danny. And we wanted to get it back.' Demin has largely played well on both ends in summer league action, but has been on the wing in few pick-and-rolls, and hasn't penetrated. But he had arguably his favorite dunk with a strong drive in the first quarter. Wolf on the other hand had to shake off struggles. He'd admittedly gotten sped up and came in averaging just six points on 27.3 percent shooting. But starting at center for the first time with Drew Timme sitting (along with Ben Saraf and Nolan Traoré), Wolf benefitted from better spacing. And slowing himself down. 'I was just a little bit too sped up,' Wolf said. 'I just went into this game with just a more relaxed mindset, just let the game come to me a little bit better and do what I do best and just play a little bit slower. And I think I did that to the best of my ability.'
New York Post
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
How Drew Timme's summer league breakout has opened NBA eyes and complicated the Nets' roster plans
LAS VEGAS — Drew Timme came to summer league signed, but not safe. He could be changing that here in Sin City. Along with all the preconceived ideas and premature narratives about whether he's an NBA player. Still very much fighting for his place on Brooklyn's roster, Timme has been far and away the Nets' best player here in Las Vegas. The big man is in the early running for MVP of the event, and to prove he belongs in the league. It's something he's not taking for granted.
New York Post
13-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
What Nets' Danny Wolf blames for rough Summer League debut
LAS VEGAS — Danny Wolf's highlight reels and passing chops had him as perhaps the Nets rookie that basketball junkies were most looking forward to seeing. The first-round pick's summer league debut left a lot to be desired. He had just four points on 0-for-5 shooting in Thursday's 90-81 loss to the Thunder. 'Definitely not what I was hoping for by any means. Just got to put it in the rearview mirror, and move on. Just had to get my feet wet a little bit, but move on from this game and just get back,' said Wolf, acknowledging first-game jitters. 'I mean, it's my first experience in the NBA, and obviously it's summer league, but it's different. Definitely some jitters and again, just got to put this in the rearview and learn from it. Just get better from this.' Wolf was the best passing big man in this year's class coming out of Michigan. When he fell to Brooklyn at No. 27, he seemed to fit the high-basketball feel ethos they're leaning into. But in the opening loss to the Thunder, he had just two assists against four turnovers. 'I think it's one game, and the Thunder did a job of speeding us up. They switched everything and just kind of got under us and kind of played into the pressure a little bit,' Wolf said. 'It's just kind of letting the game come to me a little bit better. Again, it was my first experience, and I kind of got sped up far too quickly and far too easily, and I know I'll be better next game.' Danny Wolf takes a shot during the Nets' Summer League loss on July 10, 2025. AP Wolf — who started at power forward, alongside center Drew Timme — will get another shot Sunday against Washington. Measuring 6-foot-10 ½ barefoot at the NBA Draft Combine and 251.8 pounds, he's a much bigger version of Trendon Watford and can serve some of the same point-forward role as the departed free agent did — albeit in his own way. Danny Wolf takes throws a pass during the Nets' Summer League loss to the Thunder on July 10, 2025.' Getty Images 'I think I want Danny to be Danny. I don't want Danny to be Trendon,' coach Jordi Fernández said. 'Once again, I wanna see how he adjusts to the NBA. I wanna see him playing real minutes when he earns it and when the team needs it. 'Shooting ability, playmaking, touching the paint, size, all those things are just positives. And then once we see it with the rest of the teammates all combined, we'll see how he plays. He's gonna have his goals and his role definition. There's gonna be things that he's gonna have to improve, like his rim finishing and adjusting to the 3-point line. But we know that he's gonna work, we know that he's about the right things, and we know that he's gonna get better.' Ben Saraf struggled as well in his debut, with just three points on 1-for-5 shooting, two assists and two turnovers in 17:35 running the second unit. The Israeli guard finished a minus-11. Grant Nelson had five points and two rebounds backing up Timme. The center from Alabama went undrafted but is vying for the last two-way spot.
