Kyrie Irving attributes his improved performance with the Dallas Mavericks to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates during his time with the Brooklyn Nets. In response to a fan's question about his performance, Irving points to Mayor Adams, indicating that the strict rules impacted his ability to play with the Nets.
The COVID-19 vaccine mandate prevented Irving, who was unvaccinated, from participating in Brooklyn's home games during the 2021-22 season. Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2023. Mayor Adams commented on the situation during an interview, expressing a willingness to send Irving to the team that beat the Nets the most. Despite the controversy, Irving delivered a standout performance with the Mavericks, leading all scorers with 36 points in a recent game.
