INDIANAPOLIS — They were Nets teammates and friends, and Caris LeVert can’t wait to see Kyrie Irving back on the court real soon.
Because his buddy wants to be out on the Barclays Center court.
LeVert, the Pacers shooting guard making a comeback from kidney cancer, spoke to Irving recently. Irving isn’t permitted to play at Barclays Center because he refuses to get vaccinated and the Nets took the next step in barring him from all team activities.
“I think it’s unfortunate what’s happened,’’ LeVert said at the morning shootaround before facing the Knicks on Wednesday. “Everyone wants to see Kyrie play basketball, I think Kyrie wants to play basketball. I know Kyrie wants to play basketball. I think it’s just unfortunate what’s happened. Hopefully, everyone can come to a conclusion and come back to the court soon.’’
It’s been extremely rare for a fellow player to criticize Irving for not following the local vaccination policy. But many fans are turned off by Irving allowing his anti-vaccine mandate beliefs to affect the Nets’ chances of their first NBA title.
“You’re going to feel how you want to feel,’’ said LeVert, traded in a January blockbuster that brought James Harden to Brooklyn. “Everyone wants to see Kyrie play basketball. I think he has a beautiful game. Everyone loves watching him play. And obviously, he loves playing. So it kind of is what it is with the rules. You can’t really change that.’’
One strange part of New York’s ordinance is unvaccinated visiting players can participate at the Garden or Barclays Center but not any Knicks or Nets.
“Yes, it’s definitely weird,’’ LeVert said. “But that’s something we’re trying to work through right now as players. It was kind of sudden for us as well. Introduced before the season. So it’s just an unfortunate situation. Hopefully we can come to a conclusion.’’
In the 2020 Orlando bubble, LeVert looked like a budding star, carrying the Nets into the playoffs before losing to Toronto in the first round.
Even though Irving is his friend, it didn’t stop the Nets from giving LeVert up in the Harden mega-deal.
“We’re very close,’’ LeVert said. “I spoke to him like a week ago. He just wished me luck, health and a good season. That’ll always be my brother beyond basketball.’’
LeVert had played the previous two games entering Wednesday, scoring 16 and 15 points, respectively. He said he hoped to put the cancer scare behind him. The physical after the trade revealed he had renal cell carcinoma of the kidney.
“I’m ready to start this journey,’’ LeVert said. “I wouldn’t say it’s because they traded me. I want to be the best player I can regardless of trade. But I guess that is extra motivation on top of everything.’’