Kyrie Irving shifts tone as he prepares for return to court for Nets

Kyrie Irving shifts his tone as he prepares for a return to the court for the Brooklyn Nets. 

Last week, it seemed as if Kyrie Irving’s return to the Brooklyn Nets was coming within days. Then, he fell into health and safety protocols. However, now that he’s officially been cleared from them, Kyrie is preparing for a return that could come next week.

But, this time, unlike what we heard during training camp, Kyrie has shifted his tone. In his words, he’s “grateful” for being back with the Nets.

"[via ESPN]“I knew the consequences,” Irving said of not being vaccinated and having to be away from the team. “I wasn’t prepared for them by no stretch of the imagination. Coming into the season, I had my thought process on being a full-time teammate and just going out and have fun and provide a great brand of basketball. But unfortunately it didn’t happen like that. Things happen for a reason. We are here and I am just grateful for this.”"

This is a much different tone than what we heard from Kyrie during training camp in which he was unwilling to answer most questions from reporters and that he was mostly taking the ton of a victim.

While there are still some questions left unanswered – Kyrie is still only eligible to play in away games until he meets the state’s requirements for COVID-19 vaccination or if they change their laws – but it seems as if, now, both Kyrie and the Nets have met in the middle.

Even though Kyrie can only play in away games, he’ll certainly still be a huge help for the Nets – especially when on any given night you don’t know who will and won’t be available.

Having an All-NBA talent just sitting at home, even if he couldn’t play in home games, never seemed like an idea that was going to last. Especially with the uncertainty of the NBA over the last few weeks.

Kyrie is back with the Nets. For better or worse, it seems like it’s going to be an interesting next few weeks as he begins his return to basketball.