Kyrie Irving Is... Sort Of... Back for the Nets

Kyrie Irving is back for the Nets -- or actually wait, now he's not, but he will be again soon don't you worry.

With two home games now on the schedule for the Brooklyn Nets after his debut, we're getting our early taste of the in again out again saga this has become Irving's season. Play on the road? He's in. At home? Well, see ya at the next hotel.

Obviously the Nets realized they needed their third star, changing their stance and deciding some Kyrie is better than no Kyrie. Their now part-time player, and the half part of their now "big-two-and-a-half" will bring a needed boost to a clearly worn-out Nets team, and they're obviously willing to take whatever they can get. Even if it means juggling Irving in and out of the lineup, depending on where they're playing.

It's one thing to manage this during the mid-season schedule though, and as the games matter more, the tension will rise surrounding this agreement, just you wait.

When Does This Get Old?

The Nets continue to be the favorites to win the NBA title (+259 consensus), but it's clear James Harden and Kevin Durant needed some help after Brooklyn lost their third-straight game Monday, right before Kyrie's return. He ended up with 22 points, four assists, three rebounds, and three steals in 32 minutes, reminding us how dangerous the Nets can be when he's out there with Durant and Harden You know, the original plan in Brooklyn.

But what happens once the Nets are fighting for seeding in the playoffs? Six of their last eight regular season games are at home, which means Irving will be nowhere to help.

What about the playoffs? Are the Nets better off not having home-court advantage? At least they get an extra game with him in that case. Imagine though, Kyrie Irving missing a Game 7 because it's in Brooklyn.

These are the types of situations that right now are blurry dreams drowned out by the momentary bliss of having Kyrie back for the occasional game. That all will change once the inevitable important game is missed because he's not allowed in the building though, and it won't be such a warm and fuzzy situation when that happens.