“The Chuckster” has chucked insults at a Duke basketball product.
Charles Barkley sounds fed up with Brooklyn Nets part-time point guard Kyrie Irving. Now, the NBA on TNT unfiltered analyst claims to be actively rooting against the former Duke basketball one-and-done and his squad in light of the 29-year-old’s controversial unvaccinated status.
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Irving has missed most of the season and now only plays in road games for Brooklyn. That’s due to New York City’s vaccine mandates for some indoor activities and his refusal to receive the jab despite the Nets’ current injury woes.
On Monday night, while the NBA on TNT crew discussed highlights of Brooklyn’s latest outing — a 114-107 loss at the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers — Barkley made sure to interject with some name-calling and expressions of his disgust toward Irving. Here’s how he started and finished his rant:
“Half man. Half a season…Listen, I’m not talking about this dude anymore. I just hope they lose, period. I just hope they lose.”
No noticeable rust from the Duke basketball alum
Kyrie Irving made his season debut for the Brooklyn Nets two weeks ago and has played four games altogether — again, all on the road. He’s averaging 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from downtown.
Sure, most of those numbers are down a bit from many of Irving’s All-Star campaigns. Consider the small sample size, though, and the fact that the former No. 1 overall draft pick tallied a season-high 27 points and nine assists in his latest appearance, albeit in a losing effort.
The Nets (27-16) are 2-2 with their NBA Blue Devil in action and sit No. 3 in the Eastern Conference standings, just a half-game back of the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. Their next bout takes place away from home at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday when they face the Washington Wizards, and it’s another contest that Irving is eligible to play.
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more on Kyrie Irving’s limited season plus other Duke basketball news and views.