Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving continues his war with the media. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving addresses $25K fine: 'I do not talk to pawns'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 12/11/20

Kyrie Irving has never been a fan of the media, to say the least. The Brooklyn Nets All-Star point guard has avoided interviews since training camp began on Dec. 1, and the NBA took action against him for violating league rules.

Irving and the Nets were fined $25,000 each for failure to comply with the league's media access rules. On Friday, Irving addressed the fine on Instagram, quoting human rights activist Malcolm X while also saying that he hopes the fine money goes to "marginalized communities in need."

Kyrie took to IG to address his recent fine from the NBA.

(: @KyrieIrving) pic.twitter.com/rlNSOG1Boa
— theScore (@theScore) December 11, 2020

Irving can complain about the fine all he wants, but the NBA's rulebook clearly states that players must be made available to the media at both practices and games, so the league was well within its rights to impose punishment.

It's unclear if Irving will continue his "media blackout" this season or opt to speak to reporters so he doesn't continue to be fined.

In 20 games last season, the 28-year-old averaged 27.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 47.8% from the field and 39.4% from deep. He missed a significant amount of time due to a shoulder injury, but is expected to be ready for the start of the upcoming season.

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