Irving's "Friends"-themed line comes on the 15th anniversary of the show's final network airing NIKE
Nike yesterday touted the upcoming release of a "Friends"-inspired line of shoes and gear under Kyrie Irving's imprint, but the company and the Celtics G "probably could've picked a better day for the announcement," according to Patrick Dunne of NBC SPORTS BOSTON. Irving was "thoroughly bashed on social media and talking head sports TV" following a poor performance in the Celtics' Game 4 loss to the Bucks on Monday night that ended with him "snapping off a 'Who cares?' answer to a question about his shooting woes." Dunne wrote, "There were plenty who wouldn't be buying anything Irving was selling Tuesday morning" (NBCSPORTSBOSTON.com, 5/7). NESN.com's Mike Cole wrote with the Celtics dealing with season-long "locker room chemistry issues ... touting Irving's friendships with 'his teammates on the court' is questionable timing, to say the least." Cole referenced the show's theme song by writing, "It hasn't been Kyrie Irving's day, his week, his month or even his year, but Nike is there for him -- optics be damned" (NESN.com, 5/7). Irving has a tattoo of the show's logo, and this month marks the 15th anniversary of the final "Friends" episode (SNEAKERNEWS.com, 5/6).
