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Brooklyn Nets Owner Reveals Why Kyrie Irving Was Allowed To Return: “My Only Religion is to Win Games and Win The Championship”

Published 12/19/2021, 9:13 AM EST

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At first, it didn’t seem true at all. After all, there were so many backlashes at Kyrie Irving making a decision to sit out the season of NBA. So much that the organization and the league, was just not ready to compromise. But there has been a sudden turn in events and the Brooklyn Nets have found a way for their superstar to return to the court.

It’s making everyone wonder what made them change their decision so suddenly? Well, it looks like the team’s owner Joe Tsai has finally revealed the answer to that question. And it’s quite simple and brutally honest.

Why is Kyrie Irving returning now?

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USA Today via Reuters

After refusing to abide by the rule to get vaccinated, Irving decided to sit the season out and hasn’t played a single game since. In fact, he was adamant that nothing could change his mind to do something he didn’t believe in. But tough situations require tough decisions.

With a surge in cases, almost every team has several of its players entering the league’s health and safety protocols. In Nets’ last game against the Orlando Magic, eleven of their players were sitting out, including Kevin Durant. At this point, the Nets could use all hands on deck. They’ve worked tremendously hard to secure the top spot in the Eastern Conference and Kyrie’s presence could maintain that, even if it’s just road games.

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Joe Tsai told ‘The New York Post’, “We’re trying to be practical. And I’ve always said I don’t want to make this a political issue. My only religion is to win games and win the championship. That’s where we are.” 

WATCH THIS STORY: Poster on Dwight Howard, Clamping Up Kyrie Irving & Other Instances When Kobe Bryant Humiliated His Opponents

Does Kevin Durant’s health also play a role?

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USA Today via Reuters

Despite all the hindrances, the Brooklyn Nets have managed to keep a stellar 21-9 record, the best in the East. All thanks to Kevin Durant, who isn’t just having a monstrous season and is also one of the top candidates for this year’s MVP award.

Unfortunately, the amount of minutes that he has been playing per game has been of great concern to many. And if they continue to put all this pressure on him, a star that just recovered from an Achilles not long ago will be severely burned out. By the time it comes to the playoffs, he won’t have any energy left to take them across the finish line.

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So, either the Nets are simply bringing Irving back to take some load off of KD. Or there is some truth to the trade rumors and they plan on making a case to the other teams that Irving is in good health and striking the perfect deal. Either way, as Joe said, the goal is to win a championship, whether by hook or by crook.

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Written by:

Yashima Bhatia

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Yashima Bhatia is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports who specialises in providing nuanced predictions and updates for matches. She has a Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. Yashima's love for playing the game came up at a young age, when the excitement of the games coupled with the intensity of the Playoffs had her hooked.
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