Kyrie brings loser vitality to Brooklyn
Because of a change in arena policy final week eradicating the vaccine requirement for entry, Kyrie Irving was allowed within the constructing in Brooklyn on Saturday evening for the primary time all season – as a spectator, for Duke-Virginia Tech within the ACC championship sport.
And he wore a hat that mentioned LOVE ME FOR MY BRAIN.
Actually.
Irving, who dipped out of faculty for the NBA after one 12 months at Duke.
Irving, who got here out in 2017 as a flat earther.
Irving, who was Deadspin’s No. 7 Fool of 2021 because the face of vaccine deniers in all places, and the person who turned the Nets’ dream lineup right into a nightmare by making himself unavailable for dwelling video games and alienating James Harden.
Irving, that Irving, needs to be beloved FOR HIS BRAIN?
That’s like saying that we must always all be saluting Mike Krzyzewski for his heat, cuddly demeanor as he prepares to retire from Duke.
Krzyzewski will exit with 15 ACC match titles, extra on his personal than any faculty within the convention besides North Carolina (18)… however solely 15, as a result of Irving was in attendance to see seventh-seeded Virginia Tech get off the bubble and guarantee its NCAA Match berth with a 82-67 upset.
The Hokies had by no means gained an ACC match earlier than. In reality, they hadn’t gained any convention title because the Metro Convention in 1979. That 12 months, Virginia Tech obtained an 8 seed in what was then a 40-team match, and beat Jacksonville within the Midwest opener earlier than shedding to Larry Chook and top-seeded Indiana State within the spherical of 32.
Duke, the No. 2 seed within the East again in 1979, misplaced to St. John’s in its tourney opener, however at the least that was one March disappointment that Krzyzewski didn’t should endure. He was nonetheless the coach at Military then, and wouldn’t take over at Duke till after the next season.
The Blue Devils will discover out on Sunday if their two losses within the final 4 video games have price them a high seed for March Insanity. However at the least Duke is aware of it’ll be enjoying later this week. Irving should miss Sunday’s dwelling sport in opposition to the Knicks, and after enjoying in Orlando on Tuesday, miss Brooklyn’s subsequent three video games in opposition to the Mavericks, Path Blazers, and Jazz, all at dwelling.
Not less than Irving shall be free to look at Duke in March Insanity. Hats off to the Blue Devils’ greatest fan.
