Kyrie Irving Blasts ESPN Player Ranking
As the 2023–24 NBA preseason gets underway, ESPN is releasing its predictions for player performance this season with its annual “NBArank” list. This year, Dallas Mavericks player Kyrie Irving sits at number 34 on the list, dropping from 33 last year. Needless to say, it didn’t go over well with the former Brooklyn Nets star.
Irving aired out his thoughts in a comment on a post from the Kyrie Center fan page.
“Who. [The fuck]. Cares. I never will,” the NBA champion wrote. “Rankings don’t mean a damn thing in the league, especially not from ESPN or any of these other media platforms. Majority of the analysts are not credible sources in my eyes and I don’t respect them or their opinions.”
Kyrie’s responses on Instagram after being ranked as the 34th best player by ESPN ?? pic.twitter.com/kq61WMVxQO
— Kyrie Center (@kyriecenterig) October 11, 2023
When explaining his place on the list, ESPN chalked it up to “a team-issued suspension” and a midseason trade from the Brooklyn Nets last year. Still, the outlet explained, “He remains one of the NBA’s most skilled and productive guards, averaging 27.1 points and 5.5 APG with a 61.3 true shooting percentage last season.”
Going into the new season, the Mavericks—led by Irving and Luka Dončić—are in need of redemption after a losing record last season. Irving, for his part, is just happy to be there.
“It’s not an easy task to handle this NBA life alone. I have a great support system, so I’m grateful I had them along that journey and now we’re here,” he told The Dallas Morning News last month. “[I spent] the last few years just figuring myself out. So I think this is the best place to do it and continue to mature and grow as a man.”
The Mavericks are set to take on the Detroit Pistons in their next preseason game on Oct. 20.
