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The Mavericks’ recent acquisition of Kyrie Irving has been met with some predictable skepticism. 

For all the excitement over his new partnership with Dallas superstar Luka Doncic and he performed on debut, his previous unions with LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, and Kevin Durant all had bitter endings as he forced his way out of Cleveland, Boston and, most recently, Brooklyn.

‘This is Kyrie Irving – a guy that you cannot trust,’ warned ESPN commentator and Irving’s former Cavaliers teammate Kendrick Perkins.

Nets general manager Sean Marks is the latest executive spurned by Irving, who demanded a trade last week after failed contract-extension talks in Brooklyn. Within days, Marks sent Irving and Markieff Morris to Dallas in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and the Mavericks’ first-round pick in 2029.

Irving has since bemoaned his treatment in Brooklyn, saying he felt ‘very disrespected’ because the public discourse focused on what he was doing ‘off the floor’ and not on his ‘work ethic.’

Kyrie Irving made his debut for the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday

Kyrie Irving #2 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after making a shot against the LA Clippers in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2023 in Los Angeles

Irving made his debut for the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday following his trade from the Nets

The 30-year-old produced moments of brilliance as he made debut for new team Wednesday

The 30-year-old produced moments of brilliance as he made debut for new team Wednesday

Of course, Irving played a part in that dialogue, refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in violation of local health guidelines, promoting a film containing anti-Jewish conspiracy theories, and frequently quarrelling with reporters. 

As a result, the 30-year-old has missed large stretches of the last two seasons in Brooklyn, reinforcing his status as the league’s most polarizing player, while adding to his growing list of controversies:

‘THE EARTH IS FLAT’

By now, anyone familiar with Kyrie Irving has heard his theory that Earth – the third planet from the sun – is flat and not spherical.

This hypothesis was first uttered by Irving in 2017, one year after he propelled the Cavaliers to their only NBA title with a crucial fourth-quarter 3-pointer against the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the finals.

KYRIE IRVING’S FORMER TEAMS HAVE SUCCEEDED WITHOUT HIM

  • Cavs with Irving in the lineup: 200-181, one NBA title, three Finals appearances
  • Since Irving left Cleveland: 488-251, one Finals appearance
  • Celtics with Irving in the lineup: 78-49
  • Since Irving left Boston: 173-107, one Finals appearance
  • Nets with Irving in the lineup: 82-61

But just as that famous shot helped cement Irving’s status among the NBA elites, his comments about the Earth’s shape established him as the league’s pre-eminent conspiracy theorist.

Speaking with Cavaliers teammates Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye on their podcast, Irving said he believed in the existence of extra-terrestrial life before taking a much bigger leap by insisting that the Earth’s shape is part of a far-reaching cover-up.

‘I’m telling you, it’s right in front of our faces,’ Irving said. ‘They lie to us.

‘There is no concrete information except for the information that they’re giving us. They’re particularly putting you in the direction of what to believe and what not to believe. The truth is right there, you just got to go searching for it.’

He doubled down on his statement during All-Star Game media availability later that day.

‘I think people should so research, man, and then hopefully they’ll either back my belief or no,’ he said.

When asked by sportswriter Arash Markazi if he’s seen photographs of the spherical Earth from space, Irving responded: ‘I’ve seen a lot of things that my educational system said that was real and turned out to be completely fake… I don’t mind going against the grain.’

But even if Irving was comfortable with contradicting modern science, he ultimately relented in 2018, telling the Forbes Under 30 summit in Boston that he was sorry about his comments.

Irving teamed with LeBron James in Cleveland to win the franchise's only NBA title in 2016. But soon thereafter, he quickly became known as the league's preeminent conspiracy theorist

Irving teamed with LeBron James in Cleveland to win the franchise’s only NBA title in 2016. But soon thereafter, he quickly became known as the league’s preeminent conspiracy theorist 

‘At the time, I was like huge into conspiracies,’ Irving said, eliciting laughter from the crowd. ‘And everybody’s been there.

‘To all the science teachers, everybody coming up to me like, “You know I’ve got to reteach my whole curriculum?” I’m sorry,’ Irving continued. ‘I apologize. I apologize.’

KYRIE, THE FOCAL POINT

Between Irving’s initial flat-Earth comments and his retraction, he requested a trade out of Cleveland in the summer of 2017. At the time, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Irving wanted to become more of a focal point, presumably away from James.

In response, Irving was sent to Boston in exchange for two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick via the Brooklyn Nets, which was ultimately used to take Collin Sexton. (Sexton has since been included in a deal for Donovan Mitchell, who now ranks as Cleveland’s top scorer).

Cavs fans reacted by burning Irving jerseys, while his former teammates still made it to the NBA Finals, only to get swept by the Warriors.

BOSTON BOOS, KYRIE CURSES

Arriving in Boston alongside All-Star free-agent acquisition Gordon Hayward, Irving was expected to return the Celtics to their glory days and add a record 17th banner to the rafters at the Garden.

The initial returns were promising.

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In spite of a season-ending injury to Hayward in the opener, the young Celtics overachieved in 2017-18 by finishing with the East’s second-best record before falling to James and the Cavaliers in the conference finals as Irving sat with a surgically repaired knee.

There was even more optimism when Irving returned at the beginning of the 2018-19 campaign. Although he was a year away from becoming a free agent, Irving told fans he was ‘happy’ in Boston, adding he believes in the franchise and leading many to think he would return in 2019-20.

‘Obviously, a lot of great players have come before me, but to grow my name in Boston Celtics tradition and history is something I’m glad I can do, and I plan on,’ Irving told reporters.

‘Honestly, it just was like, ”Man, I do not want to move again.” I do not want to uproot my family and just be dealing with anything new again. No disrespect to other organizations, but here is perfect for me.’

Irving was initially embraced in Boston. This fan had his likeness shaved into back of his head

Irving was initially embraced in Boston. This fan had his likeness shaved into back of his head 

Irving signs an autograph for a fan prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets in 2018

Irving signs an autograph for a fan prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets in 2018

But things did not go perfectly in 2018-19, as the Celtics fell to fourth in the East and lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the playoffs in just five games.

Worst of all, Irving was dismal in Game 5, making just 6 of 21 field goals for 15 points, while finishing with a -25 plus-minus rating for the night.

By late June, reports began surfacing that Irving was looking to leave the Celtics in an effort to join friends Durant and DeAndre Jordan in Brooklyn. In early July, he signed a four-year, $141million deal with the Nets, in one of the most celebrated acquisitions in team history.

Once again, dejected fans responded by burning Irving jerseys, but Boston’s animosity towards the mercurial point guard didn’t stop there.

In the coming seasons with the Nets, Irving would be booed mercilessly by Celtics fans every time he touched the ball. Then, in 2021, a Celtics fan was arrested and ordered to stay away from the city’s TD Garden after throwing a water bottle at Irving at a playoff game on June 2.

Irving had previously accused the city of ‘subtle racism’ and had angered fans by stomping and scraping his foot across the Celtics logo earlier in that series.

‘I know what to expect in here,’ Irving said after a 2021 playoff game against Boston. ‘And it’s the same energy I’m giving back to them. It is what it is. I’m not really focused on it, it’s fun, you know what I’m saying? Where I’m from I’ve dealt with so much, so coming in here you relish it as a competitor. … This isn’t my first time at TD Garden so what you guys saw, what you guys think is entertainment, or the fans think is entertainment, all is fair in competition.

‘So if somebody’s going to call me out on my name, I’m gonna look at them straight in the eye and see if they really ’bout it. Most of the time they’re not.’

A Boston Celtics fan wears a Kyrie Irving shirt for game against the Nets on April 20, 2022

A Boston Celtics fan wears a Kyrie Irving shirt for game against the Nets on April 20, 2022

Irving flips off Celtics fans in Game 1 of the Nets' first-round series in 2022

Irving flips off Celtics fans in Game 1 of the Nets’ first-round series in 2022

This fan let her feelings be known regarding the Nets Irving with a sign in the stands

This fan let her feelings be known regarding the Nets Irving with a sign in the stands

Cole Buckley, a Celtics fan, is handcuffed and escorted out of TD Garden by police after allegedly throwing a water bottle at Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving as he left the court after Game 4 during an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Boston

Cole Buckley, a Celtics fan, is handcuffed and escorted out of TD Garden by police after allegedly throwing a water bottle at Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving as he left the court after Game 4 during an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Boston

When one Celtics fan yelled 'Kyrie, you suck' as the Nets guard walked to the locker room, Irving snapped back, 'suck my d***, b****,' as seen on a viral TikTok video

When one Celtics fan yelled ‘Kyrie, you suck’ as the Nets guard walked to the locker room, Irving snapped back, ‘suck my d***, b****,’ as seen on a viral TikTok video

Irving is hardly the first athlete to accuse Boston fans of being racist. Even Celtics star Marcus Smart said he’s heard ‘sad and sickening’ comments from the Boston faithful.

But while Irving and the Nets got the best of the Celtics in 2021, it was Boston that swept Brooklyn in the first round of the 2022 postseason as Irving was reduced to flipping off the crowd at TD Garden.

Irving, who was fined earlier last season for cursing at fans in Cleveland, later described the incident as part of a tit-for-tat exchange with fans.

‘Look, where I’m from, I’m used to all these antics and people being close nearby,’ the New Jersey native and former Celtics star said after pouring in a team-high 39 points in the Game 1 loss. ‘It’s nothing new when I come into this building what it’s going to be like — but it’s the same energy they have for me, I’m going to have the same energy for them.

‘And it’s not every fan, I don’t want to attack every fan, every Boston fan,’ Irving continued. ‘When people start yelling ”p****’ or ”b****” and ”f*** you” and all this stuff, there’s only but so much you take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble, take a humble approach, f*** that, it’s the playoffs. This is what it is.’

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Irving was seen giving fans a one-finger salute on his way back down the court after hitting one of his game-high six three-pointers on Sunday. Later, before an inbounds pass, Irving flashed both middle fingers to the crowd behind his head during the stoppage in play.

And when one Celtics fan yelled ‘Kyrie, you suck’ as the Nets guard walked to the locker room, Irving snapped back, ‘suck my d***, b****,’ as seen on a viral TikTok video.

Amid the abuse, Irving was also seen sarcastically pretending to cry as he mimed wiping away tears.

Surprisingly, Irving still has a good relationship with former Celtics teammates like Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but it’s safe to say team fans feel differently.

Irving (right) yielded the deciding basket in the Nets' 115-114 loss in the 2022 playoff opener

Irving (right) yielded the deciding basket in the Nets’ 115-114 loss in the 2022 playoff opener

Before an inbounds pass, Irving flashed both middle fingers to the crowd behind his head

Before an inbounds pass, Irving flashed both middle fingers to the crowd behind his head

Irving, who has likened Celtics fans to a bitter ex-girlfriend, pretended to cry in a playoff game in an effort to mock the heckling Bostonians

Irving sarcastically fake crying

Irving, who has likened Celtics fans to a bitter ex-girlfriend, pretended to cry during a 2022 playoff game in an effort to mock the heckling Bostonians 

KYRIE DOESN’T TALK TO MEDIA ‘PAWNS’

Following the NBA’s COVID-impacted 2019-20 season, which was finished inside the league bubble in Orlando, Irving returned for the 2020-21 campaign by announcing his media boycott.

‘I am committed to show up to work everyday (sic) ready to have fun, compete, perform, and win championships alongside my teammates and colleagues in the Nets organization,’ he wrote in a statement posted on social media. ‘My goal this season is to let my work on and off the court speak for itself.’

Irving was promptly fined $25,000 for his refusal to speak to reporters at Media Day at the onset of the 2020-21 season.

In response, he took aim at reporters.

‘I do not talk to Pawns,’ he wrote on Instagram. ‘My attention is worth more.

‘I pray we utilize the “fine money” for the marginalized communities in need, especially seeing where our world is presently,’ Irving continued.

‘I am here for Peace, Love, and Greatness. So stop distracting me and my team, and appreciate the Art. We move different over here.’

Ultimately, Irving would resume speaking with reporters, although his relationship with New York media was never really repaired.

While referring to 'Pawns' in the media, Irving warned others against distracting him this year

While referring to ‘Pawns’ in the media, Irving warned others against distracting him this year

KYRIE’S COVID CONTROVERSY

The 2021-22 season in Brooklyn may best be remembered for Irving’s refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in violation of local health guidelines.

The NBA did not have a vaccine mandate in place, but did order players to follow local laws, which meant that Irving was initially sidelined for all home games.

Not wanting any part-time players, Marks and then-coach Steve Nash decided to hold Irving out of road games before relenting in December of 2021 and allowing him to suit up away from Barclays Center.

Still, New York mayor Eric Adams kept the vaccine mandate in place until March, when he decided to exempt athletes and performers from the rule, thus clearing the way for Irving’s return.

Reactions to the decision by the Mayor’s office were mixed.

Many Nets fans chose to focus on their team’s playoff aspirations with a well-rested Irving giving the team an edge at home.

‘Kyrie saved his body the whole regular season and is about to unleash hell on the East playoff field,’ wrote on fane on Twitter.

Others poked fun at Irving’s habit of randomly missing games for personal reasons or nagging knee injuries.

‘Thank God Kyrie Irving can now go back to his usual routine of missing playoff games because of disinterest or injury instead of lack of concern for his fellow citizens,’ tweeted the New Yorker’s Isaac Chotiner.

The 20-year-old video, entitled 'Never Forget - Alex Jones Tried To Warn Us,' refers to a 'New World Order' that would 'release plagues'

The 20-year-old video, entitled ‘Never Forget – Alex Jones Tried To Warn Us,’ refers to a ‘New World Order’ that would ‘release plagues’

Conservative sports pundit Clay Travis, an opponent of mandates, congratulated Irving for persevering.

‘[Kyrie Irving] wins,’ Travis tweeted. ‘Well done, Kyrie and other athletes who didn’t bend the knee to absurd covid rules.’

Irving’s return to the floor proved inconsequential in the playoffs, as Boston swept Brooklyn in the first round.

Months later, Irving reignited the debate over the vaccine’s effectiveness by posting a 20-year clip of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones describing a ‘new world order’ that would unleash viruses to gain control of the public.

In the video Jones said: ‘Yes there have been corrupt empires. Yes they manipulate. Yes there are secret societies. Yes there have been oligarchies throughout history.

‘And yes, today in 2002, there is a tyrannical organization calling itself the New World Order… by releasing diseases and viruses and plagues upon us, we then basically get shoved into their system.’

The video was titled: ‘Never Forget – Alex Jones Tried To Warn Us.’

Irving was slammed by his critics over the video, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who wrote that the Nets guard ‘would be dismissed as a comical buffoon if it weren’t for his influence over young people.’

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ACCUSATIONS OF ANTI-SEMITISM

The Alex Jones video was hardly Irving’s only foray into conspiracy theories.

He ignited controversy in late October by tweeting a link to the Amazon page for the 2018 film ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.’ The movie is based on a 2015 book by the same name, which Rolling Stone described as ‘venomously anti-Semitic.’ Specifically, it quotes Hitler to convince the audience about the existence of a Jewish plan for world domination.

Since posting the Amazon link to the film on Twitter, Irving has quarreled with media, telling reporters ‘I’m not going to stand down on anything that I believe in.’ He then appeared to backtrack days later by deleting the post without an explanation.

But after competing statements from Irving, the Nets, team owner Joe Tsai, and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, the club suspended the All-Star for a minimum of five games. Ultimately he would serve eight before being reinstated.

Although Irving denied promoting the film, ‘Hebrews to Negroes’ skyrocketed atop Amazon’s top seller in Ethnic Studies.

'Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,' is based on a Black Hebrew Israelite book

The 30-year-old ignited controversy by tweeting a link to the Amazon page for the 2018 film ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America’ 

The Nets released an angry and frustrated statement about Irving’s suspension, saying the decision stemmed from his initial reluctance to apologize.

‘We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct and the suspension period served is no less than five games,’ the Nets statement read in part.

‘We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no anti-Semitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity – but failed – to clarify.

‘Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team. Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.’

Furthermore, the Anti-Defamation league rejected a proposed $500,000 donation from Irving, saying he ‘feels no accountability for his actions.’

‘This is an encouraging step from Kyrie,’ said Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt in a November statement. ‘But actions speak louder than words. Because of his post and previous refusals to walk it back, the anti-Semitic film/book is now a best seller in multiple categories on Amazon. There is a lot more to do to undue (sic) this damage.’

Fans sat courtside at an October 31 Nets game wearing T-shirts reading 'Fight Anti-Semitism'

Fans sat courtside at an October 31 Nets game wearing T-shirts reading ‘Fight Anti-Semitism’

Irving finally apologized in early November for linking to the film on Twitter. In an Instagram statement, Irving said: ‘To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize.

‘I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.

‘I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all. I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I Am.’

With the issue seemingly resolved, Irving helped the Nets recover from a poor start and surge in the Eastern Conference standings, that is, until last week’s trade request.

NO CONTRACT FOR KYRIE

Despite Irving’s controversies in Brooklyn, he remained fixated on getting a max contract extension, making him one of the NBA’s highest-paid players.

Frustrated over the Nets’ reluctance to submit to his contract demands, Irving nearly opted out of the final year of his current contract before the 2022-23 season. But, without any comparable offers on the market, he agreed to return to the Nets, in hopes of working out a new long-term deal.

Irving placed the blame squarely on his refusal to get vaccinated.

Irving demanded a trade and was promptly shipped off to Dallas and impressed on his debut

Irving demanded a trade and was promptly shipped off to Dallas and impressed on his debut

‘I gave up four years, $100-something million deciding to be unvaccinated,’ he told reporters in September. ‘That was the decision. It was contract [and] get vaccinated or be unvaccinated and there’s a level of uncertainty of your future.’

Irving went on to say that he believed the team was giving an ‘ultimatum’ by refusing to agree to a long-term extension unless he got the COVID-19 vaccine, although Marks pushed back on that claim.

‘There’s no ultimatum being given here,’ Marks said. ‘Again, it goes back to you want people who are reliable, people who are here, and accountable.’

That contract extension failed to materialize during the season, so Irving demanded a trade and was promptly shipped off to Dallas.

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