Well, that didn't last long.
Nets star Kyrie Irving ended a reported season-long media blackout on Monday, officially speaking to journalists for the first time just days after he was handed a five-figure fine by the NBA for declining to partake in the league's Media Week.
Irving, coming off an impressive effort in the Nets' preseason opener on Sunday, seemed relatively loose and comfortable while speaking with a group of reporters -- whom he recently appeared to dismiss as "pawns" -- on a video call.
Irving on Monday seemed to attempt to backtrack on the low blow, clarifying that he wasn't attacking the media specifically, but merely trying to protect his narrative.
Speaking to reporters separately, Nets coach Steve Nash said he had not discussed the "pawns" comment with Irving, instead opting to give him space and play it cool in the team's formative days.
Over the weekend, Nash ribbed the media over the flap, saying Irving has been "unbelievable" so far.
"While he may not be in your guys' good books right now, he's in my good books," Nash said. "I'm enjoying coaching him. He's been unbelievable."
On Monday, Nash again tried to defuse any suggestions that Irving has been difficult to handle.
Nash, who has no previous coaching experience at the pro level, was put in a seemingly awkward position soon after he was hired by the Nets, when Irving said on teammate Kevin Durant's podcast, The ETCs, that he didn't envision the Nets having a head coach in the traditional sense.
Irving, 28, playfully "took back" the ham-handed remark, praising Nash for a strong start in Nets camp.
Overall, Irving seemed to be in a different place than he was a week ago.
The former Cavaliers and Celtics star was fined $25,000 for declining to face reporters as part of Media Week.