Kyrie Irving Defends D’Angelo Russell After Bill Simmons’ Criticism

Dallas, TX — Kyrie Irving took to social media on Saturday to defend his new teammate D'Angelo Russell after Bill Simmons made a controversial remark about Russell during a podcast discussion. Simmons, a well-known basketball commentator, compared Russell to a guest who overstays their welcome, saying, “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.”

The comment was made in partnership with Kirk Goldsberry while discussing Texas basketball teams. Following Simmons’ remarks, Irving quote-tweeted an account that highlighted Simmons’ comments, stating, “Oh Bill, you would never say this to Dlo in person and we both know it,” paired with a GIF of Omar Little from the TV show The Wire.

Russell, who is expected to start at point guard for the Mavericks while Irving recovers from a torn ACL, has had a tumultuous career, having been traded five times across ten seasons. Simmons’ critique suggested that Russell’s temporary appeal may come to an end as he struggles with consistency.

Irving’s response underscores the tension between players and media personalities. He has not shied away from expressing his opinions, although he typically does so less confrontationally than some peers in the league.

Simmons has a reputation for delivering bold statements about NBA players, including past critiques of Irving during his tenure with the Boston Celtics. This latest exchange is likely to further ignite discussions in the basketball community, as neither Irving nor Simmons is known for backing down from a disagreement.

As the Mavericks prepare for the upcoming season without Luka Dončić, both Irving’s recovery and Russell’s performance will be critical in shaping the team’s success. Fans will be closely monitoring how Russell adjusts to his starting role amid the ongoing dialogue regarding his reliability as a player.