Kyrie Irving wish to preserve it non-public.
Ramadan for him is a non secular journey to be shared completely between himself and God. So when basketball followers on social media confer with him as “Ramadan Kyrie” between April 1 and May 1, Irving appreciates the popularity, however it’s a sacred time period.
“It’s the protection I feel for my brothers and sisters that are doing the same with me,” he mentioned after the Nets’ play-in victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. “It’s a blessing to be able to do it and still be able to perform.”
But the query solely intensifies as Irving’s sport improves. How is an expert athlete enjoying an up-and-down sport like basketball imagined to survive — not to mention thrive — throughout these circumstances?
Those who observe Ramadan don’t eat or drink whereas the solar is up. The solar, for instance, rose someday round 6:20 a.m. on Tuesday and didn’t set till 7:30 p.m. The Nets had an early tipoff on Tuesday at 7 p.m., which meant Irving — who would normally be noticed consuming fruit and ingesting water on his first journey to the bench — couldn’t eat something till the second quarter.
Yet someway, his focus was sharpened. Irving didn’t miss till his twelfth shot. He completed the sport 12-of-15 from the sphere for 34 factors to go along with 12 assists. It was as if he by no means missed a step, as if he had eaten the proper pregame meal.
“Everybody who does Ramadan and is playing through it, you’ve gotta commend them while they’re going through it,” mentioned Irving’s celebrity teammate Kevin Durant. “That’s robust to do, particularly when you’ve got a job like this. So many individuals [are] sacrificing to get nearer to a better energy, I respect that.
“But to play an NBA game like that? The last week or so? That shows that he’s a different human being. Hopefully he keeps it up. He was great tonight.”
Irving isn’t alone. At least not in NBA historical past. Ex-Knicks and Celtics large man Enes Kanter is Muslim and performs whereas fasting for Ramadan. NBA legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar additionally noticed Ramadan whereas enjoying NBA video games. Both logged a few of their greatest performances throughout the interval of fasting.
For Irving, the day begins sooner than 5:35 within the morning. He has to undergo his routine and ensure to gas his physique earlier than the solar rises. As an added curveball, the solar rises earlier and units later each passing day for the month of April.
“It’s not easy by any stretch of the imagination,” he mentioned on Tuesday. “So, you can’t really take any moment for granted during the day. I don’t really have time or the attention to give. I come in here and I just pay attention to the details and remind myself that I’m breathing and that’s enough.”
For Irving, there’s an elevated sense of gratitude.
“It really simplifies life,” he mentioned. “And puts it in a greater perspective.”
Whether or not he can maintain excellent or near-perfect taking pictures stays to be seen. In the 14 regular-season video games he performed throughout Ramadan final season (April 12 to May 12), Irving averaged 25.9 factors and 6.7 assists on 47% taking pictures from the sphere, 39% taking pictures from three and 95.5% taking pictures from the foul line. In the 38 video games he performed earlier than Ramadan, he averaged 27.6 factors and 6 assists on 51% taking pictures from the sphere, 39.8% taking pictures from downtown and 90.7% taking pictures from the foul line.
Ramadan, nevertheless, isn’t about basketball or taking pictures effectivity or superior metrics. It’s about one’s personal non secular journey with God, a journey that extends properly exterior of the office.
“I just have respect for all you guys [media] in here, and everyone who came into the arena, and being able to show up and play well,” mentioned Irving. “The day starts at 5:35 in the morning or even before that. You can’t really think about being hungry or anything like that. It’s just a fun journey. I’m enjoying it. Again, I’m not alone at this.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com