Kyrie Irving resisted saying anything inflammatory Thursday night, declining to address a last-second foul call.
Instead, he used his wardrobe choice to make a statement.
The Boston Celtics guard rocked a black New York Times T-shirt featuring the newspaper's recent slogan -- "Truth: It's more important than ever." -- during his postgame interview following a last-second loss to the Bucks in Milwaukee.
Kyrie Irving's post-game attire is an NY Times shirt that says "Truth: It's more important than ever." pic.twitter.com/lv2VUXrvZ0 — Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) February 22, 2019
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For context, Irving had a tense back-and-forth with a reporter just one day prior over a video of him and Kevin Durant having a (not so) private conversation at NBA All-Star Weekend. Specifically, Irving was irked by people suggesting he and Durant were talking about free agent plans, adding, "That's what disconnects me from all this s-."
One could view the message on Irving's shirt as a response to that speculation. One also could notice it's a New York Times shirt and do exactly what the All-Star point guard hates: speculate that he's joining the Knicks in free agency this summer.
That's what happened on Twitter, albeit with some sarcasm mixed in.
Ironic coming from The NY Times — GOAT (@money_bags222) February 22, 2019
NY times? Kyrie to the Knicks confirmed — Tyrion Lannister (@TroyMatthew_) February 22, 2019
(T)Ruth (I)ts (M)ore
Who just got traded by the Knicks?
That's right TIM Hardaway Jr
Kyrie to the Knicks confirmed pic.twitter.com/TBQG2PLghi — knickity knick (@knickityknick) February 22, 2019
Confirmed. Kyrie will quit nba to be journalist for NY Times. — KnicksKnowDrama (@KnicksKnowDrama) February 22, 2019
Eventually, MassLive.com's Tom Westerholm had to step in and stop the madness.
To those of you who are making a big deal over the "NY" part of "NY Times": Please seek help. — Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) February 22, 2019
But others used Irving's stand for "truth" as a reminder he once promoted the (false) idea the earth is flat.
Does he still think the Earth is flat though? — Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) February 22, 2019
Funny coming from a flat earther. — Mern (@mernw) February 22, 2019
Truth: it's more important than ever pic.twitter.com/Sj5Q9zWyhZ — Andrew Burton (@Andrew_Burton) February 22, 2019
Irving since has apologized for promoting the flat earth theory, but as we've seen, Twitter isn't exactly the place for nuance.
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