Under the expectations of many Nets fans and the whole team, Irving, who has not yet been vaccinated against the new crown and triggered the league's safety agreement after announcing his return, finally appeared on the team's training ground and gave the first interview to the media this season.
While no vaccinated players are allowed to play away games this season, the Nets' management did not allow Irving to play in away games in order not to affect other players. But people with strength will naturally make the team change the original view, when the Nets' offense has problems, they also have to allow Irving to return to the court, although the home game can not participate, but can play away is better than a game can not play, and in the playoffs, Irving's strong offensive ability is urgently needed by the Nets, last year's Eastern Conference semifinals, it was Irving's accidental injury, so that the balance of victory slowly tilted like the Bucks, the Nets, which originally had an absolute advantage, lost the series. The super-god Durant is even more lonely.
As for the team's previous decision, Irving did not complain, but very respectful of his decision to ban the game:
"I understand and respect them very much, and I need to really evaluate the matter, see things from their perspective, and don't make things emotional."
Although Irving has not followed the team this season, his own training has not been left behind, and he has been maintaining his physical condition by playing. The Nets' teammates, including the coach, are also looking forward to Irving's return.
Nash: Irving can share the scoring responsibility for Harden, and we are not in a hurry to return to him.
Bemburi: Owen is in good spirits and we will welcome his return with open arms.
Clarkston: Hopefully, Irving will return full-time.
Durant: We're devastated by the pandemic, we need more players who can play, it's that simple, we need him to come back.
Judging from the statements of teammates and coaches, the news that the Nets teammates were dissatisfied with Irving's approach was really a fiction. Although he can only play a maximum of 22 regular season games at the moment, this can more or less relieve Durant's pressure, and you can't always point to the 30s who have suffered from Achilles tendon ruptures and have to fight hard every game to win games. The Nets have also become the first team in the NBA with an "away advantage" because of Irving.
Although Irving's body shape remains good, and he will maintain his form by playing wild ball on days without games, the intensity and rhythm of the NBA are incomparable to playing wild ball, and if Irving wants to play the performance of last season's "180 club", he will not be able to reach that level in the short term, as he himself said, he still needs a period of time to adapt to the rhythm of playing in the NBA. But in any case, the Nets' big three are finally together, if Irving can change from part-time to full-time, then the Nets may really have to ride in the league.