Pooch, NetsDaily get credit for breaking Kyrie Irving

The rumors swirled and curled across the Internet: Kyrie Irving, the New Jersey Nets fan and All-NBA point guard, was likely headed to Brooklyn when free agency opens in a little more than three weeks. Few were rebutting the rumors (We see you, Chris Mannix) and so it has a life of its own.

Of course, no matter what Stephen A Smith or Ric Bucher or Colin Cowherd say, the first report on mutual interest between player and team was written by our own Anthony Puccio, who reported it for SNY and NetsDaily ... back on May 24.

And to their immense credit, ESPN noted Pooch’s groundbreaking reporting.

We will know soon enough how true any of the reports are. But here’s to Pooch for getting way out in front of the big boys.