Net fans remembering Kyrie Irving’s right shoulder, who limited him to just 20 games last season, naturally worried when he missed Saturday’s game because the team called « injury recovery » for the same shoulder . But coach Steve Nash insisted it was more precautionary than relapse, and the Nets were just careful.
Nash said Irving’s absence should be much shorter than Kevin Durant’s, at least during the All-Star hiatus fails with a thigh load. Irving is expected to return during the first half of the season road trip, which ends in either San Antonio Monday or Houston Wednesday.
« I don’t think it’s serious. I think it’s maintenance, » said Nash, before the nets hosted the Mavericks on Saturday night. « He knows his body, he discussed it with us. He has a history with this shoulder and is taking the necessary precautions to ensure he can keep maintenance on that shoulder.
« But I don’t think it’s more than that. So I would expect him to play in the next game. And if not, I don’t think that’s a thing that will linger on the All-Star hiatus. «
The NBA has penalized teams for playing players during national TV games rested, and on Saturday it aired against Luke Doncic and the Mavericks on ABC. Nash wasn’t interested in receiving Sean Mark’s slaps from the league office or general manager, so he calls it injury recovery, relapse prevention, whatever; anything but load management.
« You won’t make me, » Nash said with a laugh. « Let me just repeat it: he has a history with the shoulder and he will preserve the strength and nature of this joint by rehabilitating and protecting it. »
Web fans can be forgiven if they want Irving is wrapped in bubble wrap until the All-Star break. He has a long injury history and his debut in Brooklyn last season was similar.
Irving only played eleven games before suffering a right shoulder injury after losing in Denver on November 14. He missed the next 26 games before taking a cortisone shot and beating the Hawks on January 12. But this return was short-lived. He played nine of the next eleven games, returned to the shelf after a February 1 loss in Washington, and had surgery at the end of the season.
So far this season, Irving has been pretty healthy, save for a finger injury. Most of the time he missed was due to a personal vacation and subsequent COVID-19 contact tracing quarantine. But since his return, Irving has been stellar.
Irving has an offensive rating of 121.8 in the league and his lead has surpassed many, especially after being challenged after controversial outcomes from Cleveland and Boston.
» There were a lot of people who spoke for me or on my behalf and really didn’t know who I was, « said Irving. « I didn’t offer this access to a lot of people because it’s just a trust. It’s leaking here, someone says this here in Cleveland and in Boston. »
Irving was chosen as the starter for the All-Star Game on Aug. March elected. His value for the nets wasn’t just the 27.4 points he averaged, but also the headspace he is in.
« Ky was great, » said Nash. « Of course we know the skill and the shooting … but his mood and attitude have been so good it rubbed off his teammates.
» It’s a big part of why this team comes together. And when I see Ky smile it gives me a lot of confidence and it’s a nice thing for our ball club. He’s playing great, he’s an amazing influence on the group and it’s definitely fun to watch every night. «
DeAndre Jordan, who teamed up with Irving and Kevin Durant to sign with the Nets in June 2019, agreed that the security guard had a positive impact on the locker room.
» I haven’t been to Boston or Cleveland so I can’t talk about those situations, but I know that Ky was dealing with some things bigger than basketball here at the start of the season and we all understand and respect his place as a human being. But when he’s here he’s one of our leaders, « said Jordan. » He holds the boys up and he’s very encouraging out there. «
» When I was out before this year, I didn’t judge him a single time . He’s who he is and I love who he is. He’s a guy who thinks outside the box, « said Green. » People just have to allow him to be who he is and him do not judge by his opinion. «
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