The Dallas Mavericks’ season took a shocking turn after the organization traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 2. With the team suddenly in flux, all eyes turned to Kyrie Irving, who stepped up in his new role by averaging an impressive 24.7 points per game.
Just as Irving was proving himself as the team’s clear leader, disaster struck. Irving suffered an ACL tear on March 3, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. While focusing on rehab, he’s also stayed active in the basketball world through Twitch streams — where, just hours before his 33rd birthday, he took the opportunity to fire back at some of the NBA’s biggest critics.
Kyrie Irving Didn’t Hold Back on NBA Critics
During a Twitch stream where he showed off his jersey collection, Irving vented his frustration with former players who now work in media, critiquing today’s stars.
“They have lost their way … We valued their journeys, we respected their journeys. We wanted to get close to them, and then when you see somebody you admire, go on TV and say, ‘Get over it because you make more money.’ I’m so sick of that f****** excuse, bro.
“That you’re not allowed to feel because you make a lot of money in the NBA and you get paid and people on Twitter crucifying people that are making millions of dollars because they’re not playing in the game because they’re injured,” Irving said during the stream.
Kyrie Irving rants about old players in the media:
"They have lost their way. There are some former players that just chat shit, don't talk about anything and just hate on younger players. You see somebody you admire go on TV and say 'get over it because you make more money'… pic.twitter.com/IR12HWpzur— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA)
Irving didn’t name names, but his targets were obvious. NBA personalities like Kendrick Perkins, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley were likely among those he had in mind. Perkins once called Irving a “distraction” during his Brooklyn days and questioned his commitment. Barkley has often taken shots at Irving’s leadership, once even blaming him for the firing of former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson.
Shaq hasn’t exactly held back either.
Irving’s frustrations aren’t isolated. LeBron James, his former teammate, has voiced similar sentiments. A few weeks back, James was labeled the “face of the NBA” and made it clear he didn’t want the title.
“Why do you wanna be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis s*** on everybody? Obviously, I didn’t ask for it,” LeBron said in a postgame interview.
LeBron:
"Why do you wanna be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day to day basis shit on everybody? Obviously, I didn't ask for it. I feel Ant. I understand. This is weird energy when it comes to that" pic.twitter.com/TtlXp6w5KM
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24)
Irving’s Twitch rant was yet another reminder of the tension between today’s players and former pros-turned-analysts. One thing is certain: Irving isn’t staying quiet, and whether he’s on the floor or off, he’s going to speak his mind. And venting about the media wasn’t the only topic he covered.
Irving Addresses Cultural Issues During Twitch Stream
With his ACL injury sidelining him for the rest of the 2024-25 NBA season, Irving has found time to speak on broader issues — and he’s not shying away from tough conversations on his Twitch streams.
During the same stream, Irving addressed racial hypocrisy in society, calling it the “stupidest thing” he’s ever seen.
“Growing up in this society, just because you have this skin tone, you have different rules to abide by — or you can’t be proud of your history because of skin tone, because people really got killed because of it.”
“Do you realize how stupid that is? You know how ignorant you’ve gotta be to put somebody in a tree and hang them because they’re Black? That’s probably the dumbest s*** I’ve ever heard, to be honest with you … it’s the dumbest s*** ever for me,” Irving said during the stream.
It’s easy to see why Irving is passionate about these issues. In 2021, a Boston Celtics fan threw a bottle at him during the playoffs — a moment that exposed ongoing problems in sports culture. Since joining the Mavericks, Irving says he’s found a more welcoming environment that allows him to speak freely.
In the end, Irving’s injury may have kept him off the court, but it hasn’t quieted his voice. Instead, he’s using his platform to push conversations that matter — both in basketball and in society.
