Kyrie Irving is no stranger to social media controversy.
While not on the same level as Kevin Durant’s presence on X, the championship-winning point guard is not afraid to push back on narratives and call it as he sees it.
Which is why it was no surprise to see Irving come to the defense of his Dallas Mavericks teammate, D’Angelo Russell, after some choice words from an NBA media figure.
Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer, host of the Bill Simmons podcast, and prominent NBA talking head, found himself in the crosshairs of Irving this weekend after a clip from a recent podcast episode made the rounds on social media.
Bill Simmons’ D’Angelo Russell Comments
On a recent episode of the Bill Simmons podcast, Simmons was joined by Kirk Goldsberry in a discussion on the NBA’s two Texas teams.
When the subject of the Dallas Mavericks came up, Simmons did not hold back when talking about the Mavs’ current starting point guard, Russell, who will be starting in place of the injured Irving.
“He’s your buddy that comes to visit and it’s really great when he is only there for one day and by day six you’re like, ah, I’m ready for him to leave. That’s D-Lo,” proclaimed Simmons.
“D-Lo will be great for the one day, which in this case will be two months of his first season with the Mavericks.”
Simmons’ analysis likely comes from Russell’s NBA tenure, which, over 10 years of service, has been turbulent to say the least.
Since being selected with the No. 2 pick out of Ohio State in the 2015 NBA Draft, Russell has been traded five times.
Twice by the Los Angeles Lakers, and once by the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The former Buckeye is not a bad player by any stretch of the imagination. For his career, he’s averaging 17.3 points per game to go along with 5.7 assists while shooting roughly 43% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range.
But considering the number of times he’s been dumped throughout his career has certainly raised eyebrows.
Kyrie Irving Claps Back at Bill Simmons
Regardless, what Simmons said could certainly be represented as a shot at Russell, and Irving was not about to let it slide.
The former Duke star took to X to respond to the podcast host, calling him out for the tough talk over his microphone.
“Oh Bill, you would never say this to Dlo in person and we both know it,” he posted with attached with a GIF that says “it’s all in the game, though, right?”
It’s fair criticism, as Simmons likely would not have said something like this while in the vicinity of Russell.
The podcast host has the luxury of being able to put out his thoughts with little to no pushback from a player or coach, unlike a reporter who is in the locker room with the involved parties.
Regardless, Irving has and always will be a staunch defender of his teammates, and while he recovers from the torn ligaments in his knee, he has all the time in the world to clap back at folks over social media.
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