Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks is done beating around the bush as it pertains to Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving.
Bottom line: both players were not available during critical moments this year.
For Kyrie, it was his refusal to receive the COVID vaccine that resulted in him missing most of the team’s games during the regular season. And for Simmons, he lamented his mental health and back issues when opting against suiting up for the team down the stretch and into the postseason.
When asked if the Nets were committed to Kyrie Irving for the long term, Sean Marks didn’t hold back.
“He has some decisions to make on his own. We’re looking for guys that want to be something bigger than themselves, play team basketball, and be available. That goes for Kyrie and everybody here.”
Are the Nets committed to Kyrie Irving long-term?
"He has some decisions to make on his own. We're looking for guys that want to be something bigger than themselves, play team basketball, and be available. That goes for Kyrie and everybody here." pic.twitter.com/yRoLbayv8Z
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) May 11, 2022
Sean Marks also spoke on where he’s at with Ben Simmons.
"Do they want to be part of this? Are they motivated by something that's not good for the whole team here? Those are questions we have to ask ourselves and the players that we want to bring back."
– Sean Marks on team-building with Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons pic.twitter.com/aIaEUAwQyA
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) May 11, 2022
"He needs to be in here, smell the gym again, around his friends and family, and participate in building the culture together"
Sean Marks on Ben Simmons: pic.twitter.com/HSQpGjod9d
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) May 11, 2022
Clearly, Sean Marks is still fed up with Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons making personal decisions that affected the Nets’ chance to reach their championship aspirations this season.
Now, the organization is tasked with making important decisions about Irving and Simmons, and they have very little to base that decision off of following the tumultuous 2021-22 season.
By the sounds of it, Sean Marks is going to bluntly put the ball in both Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving’s court when asking: are you guys committed to this team?
Time will tell.
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