Nets Firing Kenny Atkinson is Strong Evidence That Kyrie Irving is Still a Locker Room Cancer

Since 2016, Kenny Atkinson has been the coach of the Brooklyn Nets. This past offseason, the team acquired Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, two of the biggest names in the NBA, but on Saturday morning, the Nets organization announced that they would be parting ways with Atkinson. The news left everyone wondering how things took such a turn so quickly.

With Nets beat reporter Anthony Puccio reporting that a number of players led the call to make the move, many quickly pointed fingers at Irving. And based on the guy's track record, it's a plausible theory.

Irving's checkered past when it comes to being a good teammate has done hin no favors in the public eye, and that remains the case now. He's clashed with players and coaches everywhere he's gone. He famously apologized to LeBron James for his behavior while playing alongside him for the Cavaliers, but promptly continued to bring down the Boston Celtics in 2019. He left Boston after verbally committing to play there again this season, all while loose talk continued to swirl about his erratic temperament and questionable leadership. His continued inability simply to get along with those around him and accept criticism has earned him a bad reputation.

With Atkinson's firing, Irving will now have his seventh head coach since entering the NBA in 2011. His talent is undeniable, but at some point, teams need to stop catering to him. He's allowed to continue getting his way despite contributing to disappointing seasons, and that just doesn't feel right.

The Nets are in playoff contention, but they're hardly the powerhouse they could have been if even one of their incredible new additions was locked in and leading the way. If Kyrie's going to drive off promising head coaches, is he really worth the trouble?