NBA Rumors: Kyrie Irving Organizing Zoom Call Amidst ‘Growing Concern’ From Players About League Restart In Orlando Bubble

Corey Hansford
4 Min Read
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past couple of weeks a return to play for the NBA seemingly appeared as thought it had been agreed to. The league’s board of governors agreed to a plan and the NBPA representatives approved the plan as well.

Though there are still many details to be worked out, everything is moving towards the return, but all players aren’t happy with this idea and superstar point guard Kyrie Irving seems to be chief among them.

There have been reports that many players have privately expressed frustration that everyone’s voice wasn’t heard for this vote and many wonder whether they should return in this climate.

With there already being concerns about returning during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the powerful movement going on around the world about racial injustices has brought up other concerns about whether a return is the best thing to do.

That message reportedly is being driven by NBPA vice president Kyrie Irving, who is organizing a Zoom call to discuss the next course of action, per Taylor Rooks and Howard Beck of Bleacher Report, and Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports:

The NBA is a predominantly black league and players have brought up the bad optics of so many going into a bubble to simply entertain and help the NBA’s financial burden amidst such an important movement that affects so many of them.

Irving is one of the league’s more progressive thinkers and in addition to the social aspect he is raising, there also is the factor that he is unlikely to play again this season. Thus, he wouldn’t necessarily have much incentive to support the NBA’s return.

That being said, there is the factor of looking beyond this season. Los Angeles Lakers veteran Jared Dudley has been among those to highlight the impact this season — if and how it is played out — will have on future contracts and the CBA.

Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.