Brooklyn tries to minimize Kyrie Irving boos with clever graphic
The Nets knew Kyrie Irving would get boos in his return to Brooklyn. But not as many if he had cover.
Instead of doing a regular tribute video for their controversial former player, the Nets presented Irving as simply part of a group of former Nets now playing for the Dallas Mavericks. He was pictured next to Seth Curry and Markieff Morris in a "welcome back" graphic.
This presented a dilemma for Nets fans. They wanted to boo Irving, who demanded a trade after three-and-a-half injury-ridden, controversial seasons in Brooklyn. He missed games due to injuries, for refusing to get vaccinated, for "personal reasons" and for an extended suspension from tweeting out a link to an antisemitic film.
But in booing Irving, they'd also have to boo Curry and Morris, who never did anything to anger Nets fans. That may be why Irving received a mix of boos and cheers — the crowd didn't want to jeer at the innocent bystanders.
That's why Irving got a much clearer negative response during player introductions. The boos for Irving are no surprise, but the loud cheers for Luka Doncic are. Perhaps Brooklyn has an unexpectedly vocal Slovenian community? Or Doncic is simply more loved in New York than Irving is hated.
The crowd response didn't phase Irving, who exploded for 36 points and six assists in Dallas' 119-107 victory. Of course, Doncic was just a point short with 35, plus 18 rebounds, nine assists and two steals, clearly delighting his fans.
But the Nets did succeed at curtailing the boos for Irving. The next step, after the Nets lost for the 19th time in 26 games, is preventing the Brooklyn fans from booing their own team.
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