BROOKLYN -- Kyrie Irving opted for a clear mask in Tuesday's win over the Brooklyn Nets, a share contrast to the black one he wore on multiple occasions with the Cavaliers to protect his facial injuries at the time.
In the wake of his 25-point performance, Irving explained the rationale behind his decision to opt for a new mask style:
“I was telling some of my teammates, some of the fans too, they were asking me whether I was going to wear the black mask," Irving said. "The difference with the black mask is that they’re not getting the ball because I couldn’t see outside of my eyesight. So I was like, little do you guys know – they’re like, ‘Oh, the Masked Man,’ ‘the black mask’ – I scored that many because I was just looking at the basket. So a lot of my peripheral vision and driving, I could only see what’s in front of me. That black mask, like, it just takes away your vision, so I’m just like, ‘Oh, basket.’ Like, this is just the best-case scenario. So that’s the whole black mask thing. So I’m glad I get to wear a clear one. I’m telling these guys, like, ‘Come on, show some gratitude. I’m showing gratitude too for not wearing that black mask.’ So yeah, hopefully a few more weeks in the mask and I’ll be out of it.”
Irving post Nets from Boston Sports Journal on Vimeo.