Nets guard Kyrie Irving has been fined $50K by the NBA, the league announced today in a press release.
According to the statement, Irving was penalized for “making obscene gestures on the playing court and directing profane language toward the spectator stands.” The incidents occurred during Game 1 of the Nets’ first-round series with the Celtics, as Irving got into it with some of the fans in Boston.
Irving, who played for the Celtics from 2017-19 before departing for Brooklyn in free agency, spoke to reporters after Sunday’s game about his interactions with the Boston faithful, as Nick Friedell of ESPN relays.
“Look, where I’m from, I’m used to all these antics and people being close nearby,” Irving said. “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. When people start yelling ‘p—y’ 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.”
Irving previously likened Celtics fans to a “scorned girlfriend” following a March game in Boston.
While $50K is a drop in the bucket for a maximum-salary player like Irving, it’s worth noting that $50K is the largest amount the NBA can fine a player without opening the door for the player to appeal the decision and take the issue to a grievance arbitrator.
$25k a digit
He also told a fan to “suck my ___” as he was walking through the tunnel after the fan told him he sucked. $50k, but he tried to get his money’s worth.
NFSW: link to youtu.be
Kyrie wouldn’t know humbleness if it smacked him in the face. You reap what you sow.
Though it sure makes for an entertaining storyline and series.
Kyrie if you respond, they get what they want. Ignore them. But that would require some maturity.
That would require a one game suspension …
Dude missed how many games over refusal to get the vax and a 1 game suspension is somehow going to matter to him?
PO game matter the most…that’s why he had to face the consequence of a suspension. What if he does it again in game 2?
I believe that Irving is wrong and the fans are wrong. He made his decision to leave for whatever reason and if the way he did it isn’t satisfactory to the fans all this carrying on isn’t going to change his right to do what he felt was best for him! Everything he does seems framed in those beliefs which he seemingly holds true to!
Doing ramadan is about purifying your body and soul by spreading love and kindness, i don’t think Allah is about to forget what he did last night …
Kyrie is a mixed bag for me.
He is 30 years old. He’s an adult.(My god how time flies!) He made a decision to leave the Celtics and it doesn’t matter why. Sometimes it just best to move on and I respect his decision on this issue. Besides New Jersey is his home. I respect how Kyrie became involved in his native heritage. I enjoy watching him when he does play as he emits pure joy and a love of what he’s doing.
Therein lies one of the reasons to dislike him as he doesn’t play that much. Due to injuries, sabbaticals and his decision not to get vaxed he has missed a lot of games.
He’s also immature at times. His antics with the fans last night were unnecessary. He needs to be a bigger person and walk away. Like I wrote earlier he’s an adult.
I’m not sure that fans are mad because he left. It’s what he did while still wearing green that caused the hate. A pattern he’s had throughout his career. His leaving was a blessing.
50K for what? He did nothing wrong.
Agreed. In fact, I wish every player screamed and swore at the fans the entire game long.
Now that would be entertainment.
If a fan did this, they player would complain and the fan would be banned for life..
Player does it, it’s ok.. and they get a 2 minute fine..
50K is the max he could be fined by the NBA. Besides, no one goes to watch fans play basketball.
Fans are a disgrace, if you wanna heckle stay home, you pay for a show not to abuse people, Kyrie did very well under the circumstances, notwithstanding that he destroyed BOS with a magnificent game!
Ridiculous. Fans are allowed to be obscene and are encouraged to get intoxicated, ultimately leading to more obscenities. But players are just supposed to sit there, straight faced and just pretend very personal attacks are coming from an entire arena. Because what? He makes more money than you?
Agreed, players should be allowed to be obscene and encouraged to be intoxicated as well. Imagine how cool it would be if Joel Embiid were drunk every game.
I really like how this board thinks.
I like Joel but I have to admit that he is obnoxious. Could you imagine obnoxious he’d get if he were intoxicated on the court. That’d be hilarious.
“With great power comes great responsibility…”
I am not convinced fans are worse.
I am convinced many players let it get to their head.
Westbrook can’t stand being questioned and not praised. At all.
Kylie is related to will Smith somehow in fantasy land.
Many complain about not being the star on the team any longer. Not getting top play. Not getting the most shots.
Its ridiculous.
Writers need to seriously question making article number 5487b about how the players are masters at smack talk. Dealing and taking it. Because many have proved they have very thin skin.
You will never shut the fans up. Only way is by beating them. Winning 4gms is best way to flip them off.
That was a winnable gm. Kyrie killed the clock on that last possession. Finally gave it up to KD. Who had to throw up a 3.
If they run a play there with options. They get a good look and win gm. Doesn’t come down to a last shot. Difference in gm was. Celtics played D last 3 mins. Nets didn’t. That’s coaching, if you ask me. Sorry Steve.