Oh I agree. However, 11 months later? I am sure depositions and statements have all been taken and documented. There is NO excuse for him to miss practice. Especially after being suspended for 4 games for his own stupidity.
First, maybe you missed this part, but he only missed the MEDIA portion of practice, not the whole thing.
In any case, I imagine depositions probably have been taken, but that wasn't the only thing I mentioned that might need to be handled in person. Meeting with a the judge, attending a hearing, meeting with child services or being evaluated for fitness as a parent, signing documents - these are all things that a lawyer can't do in his clients place.
And, yes, there are excuses for missing practice. I know it's frustrating with a player that has been suspended a few times and who has just come off a suspension, but if whatever Irving had to deal with would help him in his custody case, and help get the child away from a bad situation with the other parent, that is a damn good excuse to miss practice. I can't imagine any parent saying otherwise.