Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving returned to streaming this past weekend while recovering from a torn ACL, seizing the chance to discuss the ongoing tensions between past and current NBA athletes. During a discussion on his Twitch channel, he explained how one-on-one basketball competitions have helped him grow personally and creatively, and expanded on how the culture surrounding the NBA is often divisive and restrictive.
Four hours into his stream, Irving delivered a lengthy monologue targeting NBA media, particularly former players. He expressed his view that race and money create divisions among players and present a distorted image of the league. “Let’s stop allowing people to come into our culture, our spiritual game and tell us what’s right and what’s wrong,” Irving stated, addressing some former players directly. He emphasized that they often reject the attempts of younger generations to forge relationships, attributing this to jealousy and misunderstanding.
“There are some former players who just be talking chat s***. You don’t even be talking about anything. All you do is hate on the younger players,” he added. He voiced frustration regarding how younger players look up to these older figures, admiring their journeys, only to have them belittle their experiences. “I’m so sick of that f***ing excuse, bro. That you’re not allowed to feel because you make a lot of money in the NBA and you get paid,” Irving said, urging for a more empathetic understanding of the challenges players face.
As his commentary progressed, Irving grew more personal, sharing that many NBA fans and commentators have a limited understanding of the league’s inner workings. He intends to continue streaming as part of his rehabilitation process, having recently participated in a long session with Kai Cenat during the Twitch star’s Subathon.
Irving believes the negativity often expressed by NBA commentators is both unfair and damaging. He suggested that this negativity could stem from jealousy among older generations, and pointed out that the dynamic of predominantly white analysts discussing a primarily Black sport adds unnecessary tension. “You got people that are talking s*** about the culture and get paid from it. I’m good, bro. That whole relationship is done,” he noted. His frustration grew as he highlighted the harmful stereotypes that permeate perceptions of NBA players.
Irving has long challenged misconceptions around athletes. He previously opposed the league’s return to play in the “Bubble” in 2020, citing public health and social justice concerns. He has also been vocal regarding vaccination mandates and faced backlash for sharing a link to an antisemitic film in 2022, which resulted in a suspension.
“Don’t even get me started on what people say about athletes all the time, especially basketball players. They think we’re dumb as s***,” Irving declared. He criticized politicians who belittle athletes, asserting that such attitudes stifle their ability to effect genuine change. “How am I supposed to make a dent in the world if I’m always being suppressed?” he questioned, emphasizing the need for athletes to use their platforms responsibly.
If Irving commits to consistent streaming, it will serve as a unique outlet for one of America’s most outspoken star athletes to share his views on the NBA and broader societal issues. He’s already making waves by challenging former players in media and critiquing the power dynamics within the NBA, thereby influencing the culture of the sport in his distinctive way.
