Despite the Nets record after their first three games of the season, PG Kyrie Irving has already taken in the reins of the team in terms of showing off his scoring ability and leading them on the floor.
But, according to ESPN's Jackie MacMullan, the Nets have already experienced Irving's interesting personality as well.
Irving has been documented to having mood swings in the past, especially with his Celtics squad last season. And MacMullan is reporting that the Nets have seen it already during their China trip, leaving some team officials "queasy."
"When Irving lapses into these funks, he often shuts down, unwilling to communicate with the coaching staff, front office and sometimes, even his teammates," MacMullan wrote. "Nets teams sources say one such episode occurred during Brooklyn's trip to China, leaving everyone scratching their heads as to what precipitated it."
Kevin Durant, one of Irving's best friends and now teammate with the Nets, will be looked upon to curb those situations with the dynamic point guard. However, Durant doesn't want to do anything of the sort. He knows how Irving operates on and off the court, and letting him be to work through whatever he's going to is the best bet.
Durant knows Irving will always come to play at the end of the day.
"I look at Kyrie as somebody who is an artist," he told MacMullan. "You have to leave him alone. You know what he'll bring to the table every night because he cares so much about the game."
As SNY"s Ian Begley points out, though, Brooklyn has a strong culture and it appears it will be tested by Irving. But it's way too early to draw any conclusions about the Irving-Nets partnership at the moment. There's still a long season ahead.