The NBA released its Top 75 Greatest Players of All Time list last week. Two members of the Brooklyn Nets ultimately made the cut: Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Kyrie Irving, despite being a focal point of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ infamous championship run, was notably omitted.
This week, a report surfaced that Irving was actually included on the original list – only to later be removed for reasons that remain unclear.
The evidence speaks for itself:
It was was already set🚨 pic.twitter.com/WxxmUcjtR4
— Brooklyn Nets Media 🍥 (@nets_media) October 24, 2021
HUGE CONSPIRACY THEORY: If you Google ‘Nets NBA 75’ the first result is a page from the Nets website with a link to a video. The page doesn’t work.
WAS KYRIE IN A DRAFT VERSION OF THE LIST THEN PULLED DUE TO THIS SEASON?! pic.twitter.com/8moHJ6SqPA
— UK Nets Fans (@UKNetsFans) October 24, 2021
Kyrie Irving was going to be top 75 but was removed by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/NouUAUksfv
— Brooklyn Nets Media 🍥 (@nets_media) October 24, 2021
Archive of the page:
“Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving has been named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team of the top 75 players in the league’s history.”https://t.co/tqlvgSxHqK
— nick (@nckp2p) October 24, 2021
Wow it is true. Kyrie was in NBA’s top 75 but removed. Screw the NBA, screw them. pic.twitter.com/By6pYb82HY
— Andy (@Badandy538_) October 24, 2021
Irving is currently embroiled in a massive controversy over his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccination. As a result of that, he is unable to participate in Nets home games per New City mandates.
This has led to the deterioration of Irving’s relationship with both the Nets’ front office and his one-time good friend, Durant.
Yikes Tony Romo.https://t.co/EfsWqCySRJ
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 25, 2021
Beyond that, Irving is also facing down massive financial consequences over his vaccination status.
Of course – none of that would justify his removal from the Top 75 list if he was originally there. The list measures basketball accomplishments, nothing else. And if something else did happen to get factored in, like Irving’s off-the-court controversies, then it would suddenly throw the entire integrity of the list into question.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
