Play.
Have you watched him play? He's a master.
Kevin talks about how the Nets' continuity will be affected by the status of Irving. (0:37)
The time is 11:35 PM.
The Brooklyn Nets believe that Irving's status as a part-time player, who only plays on the road, will not affect their continuity as they prepare for his return.
Have you watched him play? Kevin said after the loss to the 76ers. He's a master. If you don't guard him, he can score 70% of his shots. He's a good player. It's just a matter of him getting his legs up under him. We're going to run plays for him and try to find him. He can do anything, so we're not worried about him.
Irving hasn't played all season because the Nets didn't allow him to participate due to New York's vaccine mandate. Irving practiced with the team on Wednesday after the organization reversed course and allowed him to play in road games. James Harden was succinct in his assessment of how Irving looked after after so much time away from the group.
Harden said that he was like Kyrie. "Elite."
The All-Star guard was echoed by the same person.
"He looked great," he said. He looked great. He looked great to me, but I know he wants to play a little bit more before he gets into game situations.
The most likely times for Irving to make his debut are January 5 at Indiana or January 12 against the Chicago Bulls. Nets coach Steve Nash said before the game that he hadn't talked about a change in Irving's vaccine status since the preseason. Nash is confident that Irving's role as a part-time player won't affect the Nets much when the 29-year-old plays again.
"I think I keep it simple, but I am a little naive," Nash said. "Kyrie plays on the road and we figure out how he rejoins the group, finds his rhythm, and his place in the team and when we come home, we're back to normal, the way we've been all year so I'm just trying to keep it
"Try to enjoy it and put him in a position to succeed and to enjoy what he's doing and that can have an effect on us when he's not."
Several of Irving's teammates said it was great to see him back on the floor after a few months off. Veteran guard Patty Mills said it was a good moment.
Harden said "Same Kyrie." I'm happy to have him back. We have to get him on the court.
