Michael Wilbon’s hot Kyrie Irving-Klay Thompson take will rile up Nets fans
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates after he was fouled by Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter during Game One of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on May 22, 2021 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates after he was fouled by Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter during Game One of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on May 22, 2021 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/af9d56cc8ad42ac75a45c7094c2532d2b88158a14d7bbef5fbff1e1fae198783.jpg)
Michael Wilbon may want to steer clear of Brooklyn Nets fans for a while. The ESPN commentator made the hottest of hot takes on Wednesday’s NBA Countdown, and he was occupying the same space as Stephen A. Smith. That says a lot.
After Shams Charania reported the chances of Kyrie Irving playing for the Nets this year have increased, his possible return has been a talking point around the league.
So when Mike Greenberg asked Wilbon who he believes would win in a matchup between Golden State (without Klay Thompson) and Brooklyn (with Irving), Wilbon had a fairly unexpected response.
With a straight face, he said, “I think that I might have the Warriors without Klay” to which Smith chimed in and said, “I’m not going that far.” Yeah, us either.
“Kyrie ain’t dependable in the best of times.”
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 16, 2021
—@RealMikeWilbon thinks the Warriors without Klay would still beat the Nets with Kyrie Irving. pic.twitter.com/A8G1K2ZaMt
Michael Wilbon has little faith in Kyrie Irving if he returns to the Brooklyn Nets.
Notice how after Wilbon said that, Smith and Jalen Rose both erupted in laughter. Wilbon went on to say that what matters is that Irving “isn’t dependable in the best of times.”
Wilbon referred back to when Irving stood in the middle of the court at TD Garden and told Celtics fans that he planned on re-signing with the team, but we all know that didn’t happen. Instead, he signed with the Nets in free agency. We’re not quite sure what that has to do with him playing for Brooklyn and losing against a Golden State team without Thompson, though.
https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1469690942131163148?s=20
The Warriors do have the best record in the league, but to say they could, without Thompson, beat a Nets team with Irving on the court is a bit far-fetched. Did the man forget Kevin Durant has been taking over games across the league this year?
Wilbon told Smith that he was “drinking the Kool-Aid that you (Smith) poured for me.” Smith responded with, “I gave you some Kool-Aid, but I didn’t spike that joint.” If Smith is in disbelief over a take that isn’t his, that’s how you know it’s bad.
Getting to witness an NBA Finals matchup between Brooklyn and Golden State would be epic. Thompson is expected to be back either at the end of this month or in January, so if Irving does return, the stage will be set.
By then, Wilbon might be eating a fistful of his words.