"Is this First Take? I mean, you’re about to call this Comedy Central 'cause I can’t stop laughing" - Stephen A. Smith mocks Kyrie Irving for apparent requests directed toward Nets

Kyrie Irving’s situation with the Brooklyn Nets continues to be a hotly-debated topic among NBA fans and analysts. Brooklyn is reportedly playing hardball with the seven-time All-Star’s contract situation.

If Kyrie Irving opts in, he is scheduled to earn $36.5 million next season and then become a free agent. By taking the player option, Brooklyn could also sign him to a four-year extension worth roughly $190 million. Based on reports, the Nets aren't willing to spend that much on Irving.

Should the former Duke standout opt-out and still get a max deal from the Nets, he will be eligible for a $245 million contract for five years.

While some have described the matter as public posturing by Irving, others have hurled criticism at the mercurial point guard. Stephen A. Smith, who believes “Uncle Drew” should be given a short-term max contract, was incredulous at the standoff between the two parties.

“Is this First Take? I mean, you’re about to call this Comedy Central 'cause I can’t stop laughing! An impasse?

"This is a guy that missed 127 games over the last three seasons and he thinks that he deserves a four-year extension, fully loaded on top of the $36.5 million he’s expected. ... I mean what nerve, what nerve, what gall! Talk about delusional. That’s this dude, that’s Kyrie Irving.”

The ESPN sports talk show host was wrong with the number of games Kyrie Irving has missed. The point guard missed 123 games, not 127, but the point Smith made was clear. The Brooklyn Nets aren’t willing to sign Irving to a long-term contract, given his unreliability.

Injury has played a part in his lack of availability, but he’s also been off the floor for personal reasons. He refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine, which almost cost him an entire season, and he previously left his team without notice to “take time off.”

Moreover, the former Rookie of the Year winner wanted to co-coach and recently co-manage the Brooklyn Nets. It’s for these reasons that he’s been called delusional by several analysts, including former NBA players.

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Kyrie Irving was a non-factor in the Boston Celtics' sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in this year’s playoffs

"Uncle Drew" had a series to forget against his former team, Boston Celtics, in the playoffs. [Photo: Boston .com]

When Kyrie Irving is on the floor, he's an unstoppable force more often than not. That was the case in the regular season, but he surprisingly failed to deliver in the playoffs against the Boston Celtics.

In 29 regular season games, he averaged 27.4 points on 46.9% shooting, including 41.8% from 3-point range. Against Boston in the first round of the playoffs, he averaged 21.3 points on 44.0% shooting. He made only 38.1% of his shots from long range.

The Brooklyn Nets point guard had a dazzling Game 1 as he scored 39 points, with 18 of them coming in the fourth quarter. In the next three games, he scored 10, 16 and 20 points, respectively. Boston mercilessly targetted him on offense and handcuffed him on defense.

That may be another factor as to why the Nets are reluctant to offer him a max contract.