Kyrie Irving calls out NBA personality's take on Mavericks starter

The Dallas Mavericks' star point guard Kyrie Irving is recovering from a torn ACL sustained in March and is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season. In response, the team signed former NBA All-Star D'Angelo Russell to fill the starting role temporarily, though this move has received mixed reactions due to Russell's recent poor performance and his history of being traded multiple times.

NBA personality Bill Simmons criticized Russell on his podcast, using an analogy that Russell is enjoyable in short bursts but becomes frustrating over time, likening him to a visiting friend who overstays their welcome. Simmons pointed out that Russell has been on seven teams in eleven seasons, indicating a pattern of teams seeking to move on from him, which adds to the skepticism about his ability to help the Mavericks contend.

Kyrie Irving publicly defended Russell on social media, challenging Simmons by stating he wouldn't make such comments in person. Irving's response highlights his support for his teammate, despite the criticism not directly labeling Russell as a bad player but rather emphasizing his inconsistency and history of short tenures with teams.

Russell signed a two-year contract worth approximately $12 million, with a player option for the second year, making his stay with the Mavericks potentially short unless he performs exceptionally well. The team faces financial constraints that may prevent a long-term deal, and Russell will need to improve his shooting after a subpar season, though he showed promise in playmaking during the preseason.