Kyrie Irving hasn't won much favor in the court of public opinion this year.
But for all the drama Irving caused on his former team, his new teammates are welcoming him with open arms.
Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris even defended Irving while speaking to reporters Monday, suggesting the former Boston Celtics guard is treated unfairly by the media.
Joe Harris on Kyrie Irving: "Kyrie, he’s got a big personality. I think he’s one of these guys that’s misunderstood. I think the way that he’s construed in the media is probably going to paint him in a light that is not necessarily true."
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 8, 2019
Harris spent two seasons as Irving's teammate on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014 to 2016 and insisted the All-Star guard is easy to get along with, despite reports that Irving "hated" Boston and wasn't close with many Celtics players.
Joe Harris on Kyrie Irving off the court while teammates in Cleveland: "I had a lot of good times with him. He’s a lot of fun to be around whether it’s hanging out, playing video games, grabbing a drink, whatever it might be."
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 8, 2019
Taurean Prince, who joined the Nets via trade from the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, added a vote of confidence for Irving on Sunday, explaining his new teammate may be misunderstood simply because he's a "deep thinker." (Those who read Irving's "flat earth" comments may disagree.)
Taurean Prince on Kyrie Irving: “He’s a deep thinker, and he thinks things differently than a lot of people, and I think that’s why he is who he is, in my opinion. Great person from what I’ve met, very competitive, and very strong-minded.”
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 7, 2019
Irving also has a supporter in Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who reportedly helped recruit the 27-year-old to Brooklyn, so it sounds like the Nets' roster is on board with the signing.
Of course, the Celtics were similarly optimistic when Irving arrived in Boston in 2017, so we'll see if things change after a season of Irving running the show in Brooklyn with Kevin Durant sidelined due to injury.
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