Kyrie claims 'pawns' post wasn't about media, walks back remarks on Nash

Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving spoke to the media Monday for the first time since being fined $25,000 for refusing to speak with reporters during the club's media week earlier in December.

The All-Star guard touched on several topics during his availability, including a recent social media post in which he stated he doesn't "talk to pawns."

Irving claimed the message wasn't directed toward members of the media.

"It's really just about how I felt about the mistreatment of certain artists when we get to a certain platform of when we make decisions within our lives to have full control and ownership ... We want to perform in a secure and protected space," Irving told reporters, including ESPN's Malika Andrews.

Irving also walked back remarks he made during an October appearance on teammate Kevin Durant's podcast. The 28-year-old said at the time he didn't "really see" Steve Nash as Brooklyn's head coach after the club hired the Hall of Famer for the role a month earlier.

"Steve's been amazing," Irving said. "He kind of commands the respect. I think I've got to take back my comments in terms of the head coach back a few months ago. But it's just like, man, we such a great synergy. Everyone feels like we're coaching one another to be better, so I'm grateful for that."

Nash, for his part, denied any tension with Irving and applauded the two-time All-NBA selection for being a positive presence in the locker room. The first-year bench boss said he's glad to be coaching Irving instead of lining up against him.

"Our relationship's been great, it's never been an issue," Nash said, according to Forbes' Adam Zagoria. "He's been unbelievable in camp, he's been a leader. It's been unbelievable watching him play every day. ... From a coaching standpoint, our relationship has been unbelievable, and it's just going to grow."