Nets’ Kyrie Irving: There’s Only So Much You Can Take As A Competitor

Nets star Kyrie Irving was caught on video giving fans the middle finger during Sunday’s Game 1 loss, saying afterward he was merely responding to the “energy” he received from inside the arena.

“Look, where I’m from, I’m used to all these antics and people being close nearby,” Irving said. “It’s nothing new when I come into this building what it’s going to be like — but it’s the same energy they have for me, I’m going to have the same energy for them.

“And it’s not every fan, I don’t want to attack every fan, every Boston fan. When people start yelling ‘p—y’ or ‘b—-‘ and ‘f— you’ and all this stuff, there’s only but so much you take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble, take a humble approach, f— that, it’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”

Irving is facing a fine of $50,000 for the manner in which he responded to fans. “Past precedent also says the NBA can choose to fine him up to $50,000 per incident,” RealGM noted. “There were seemingly between one and four occasions where Irving had a finable offense.”

Irving scored 39 points in the Nets’ 116-115 loss, which was decided on a last-second bucket from Celtics star Jayson Tatum.