On Monday morning, word broke that Kyrie Irving had requested and received permission to find sign-and-trade offers from other NBA teams. By Monday afternoon, after realizing there was only one team seeking such an arrangement and the Nets wouldn’t go for it, he decided to opt into his $36.5 million option, meaning he will return to Brooklyn next season.
The decision itself is fascinating as it’s almost certainly what no one involves wants to happen, including Irving, and yet it somehow makes sense for the free-thinking NBA star. He put the icing on that cake with a particular over-the-top quote that he provided to Shams Charania.
Kyrie Irving: “Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall. A11even.” https://t.co/rpiS8YkSZI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2022
“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow,” said Irving. “I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall.”
That first part is what really caught the attention of the NBA world as it’s a perfect Kyrie quote. Obtuse, tone-deaf, and deluded, the implication that Irving is some kind of maverick for choosing to sign an option that pays him $37 million for one year is just…chef’s kiss.
And of course, it generated some fun responses and reactions on social media.
"Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow" – me, about to order two appetizers as an entree
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) June 27, 2022
I woke up on a Monday morning, went to work, and didn’t poop my pants once today. Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow
— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) June 28, 2022
[ordering hushpuppies and a cheesy gordita crunch at the combination long john silvers/taco bell]
Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow.
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) June 27, 2022
“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow.” – me, before eating an entire box of these pic.twitter.com/SK5o9gWSgD
— Bennett Conlin (@BennettConlin) June 28, 2022
“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow.” — me getting tater tots instead of fries with my breakfast burrito
— Oluwajomiloju (@JomiAdeniran) June 28, 2022
Brave path when the alternative was taking $30M less… https://t.co/Fm02ZXvnIG
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) June 27, 2022
Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. That’s why if low-rise skinny jeans ever come back in style I will continue wearing high-rise, wide-legged pants. Thank you https://t.co/EYWfVGPezW
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) June 27, 2022
Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/hacKLUmLs5
— Dave Schilling (@dave_schilling) June 27, 2022
Kyrie continues to be the gift that keeps on giving and the Nets get to pay $37 million for that gift next season now.
[Shams]
