Nets' Kyrie Irving skips media availability, releases written statement instead
Normally when NBA training camp gets rolling, every player on each team meets with the media on one day. A lot is obviously different in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making some changes necessary.
Rather than a media day, the NBA has had a media week, where two to three players have been available each day. The exception for the Brooklyn Nets came on the first day when Kevin Durant was the lone player to talk, though he was also following up new head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks.
Kyrie Irving, however, decided he did not want to talk to the media.
Irving elected not to speak with reporters Friday. Instead, he issued a written statement through a spokesperson "to ensure that my message is conveyed properly."
"COVID-19 has impacted us all in many ways, so I pray for the safety and health of our communities domestically and abroad," Irving wrote. "I am truly excited for the season to start and I am also praying that everyone remains safe and healthy throughout this journey.
"Instead of speaking to the media today, I am issuing this statement to ensure that my message is conveyed properly.
"I am committed to show up to work everyday, ready to have fun, compete, perform, and win championships alongside my teammates and colleagues in the Nets organization. My goal this season is to let my work on and off the court speak for itself.
"Life hit differently this year and it requires us, it requires me, to move differently. So, this is the beginning of that change."
Irving is entering his second year in Brooklyn after signing as a free agent last offseason. Though he played just 20 games in 2019-20, he averaged 27.4 points, 6.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds.
The Nets begin group training camp drills this weekend before preseason games on Dec. 13 and Dec. 18. They open the regular season on Dec. 22 at home against the Golden State Warriors.