NBA

Back in 2021, Kyrie Irving chose to skip the COVID-19 vaccine. That choice kept him off the court for Brooklyn Nets home games because of New York City’s strict mandates back then. Stephen A. Smith absolutely hated the move. 

Read more Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The First Take head blasted Irving on-air, calling him «flat-out stupid» and screaming for the Nets to get rid of him. Smith argued that Irving was killing Brooklyn’s championship hopes and leaving his teammates out to dry. 

But five years later, Smith completely walked those words back.

Speaking on “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” the veteran analyst admitted that the shifting COVID-19 narrative completely changed his perspective. 

He pointed to Dr. Anthony Fauci invoking the Fifth Amendment before a Senate committee, saying it gave people a valid reason to rethink the massive backlash faced by guys like Irving, Aaron Rodgers, and Novak Djokovic. In short, he confessed their doubts weren’t as crazy as everyone assumed.

Then he shared his sincere apology, adding, «We did him wrong. I did him wrong. And for that, I’m sincerely sorry,» owning his mistakes and closing the segment with a simple «Peace and love.»

Read more Rwanda Halts Forzza Operations After Finding Repeated Licence Breaches

Meanwhile, Irving is in a completely different chapter in Dallas. He is now the last man standing from the Mark Cuban era on a Mavericks team that started completely from scratch after trading Luka Doncic. 

After sitting out to recover from a torn ACL suffered back in March 2025, Irving is finally healthy to return to the hardwood. Dallas is now gearing up to pair him with reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg to anchor their backcourt next season.

Irving’s name has been in trade rumors all summer, and Dallas definitely took some calls once free agency started. But the front office wants to keep him because his injury last year made it difficult to find a good trade package. As Dallas builds its team around Flagg, management views Irving as a core piece rather than a trade asset.

Read more San Francisco 49ers

More NBA news:

• Mavericks begin early extension talks with 7-1 All-Rookie center on $7.2M deal
• Alperen Sengun addresses ‘suddenly formed’ rift with Kevin Durant
• LeBron James told to free himself from ‘ego’ before it’s too late
• Is Bryce James now at Villanova after LeBron James 76ers move?
• Magic Johnson labels Kevin Durant-led Rockets as West contenders