Kyrie Irving spoke to the media on Tuesday for the first time since he was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks. Of course, the controversial NBA star had something to say about his time in Brooklyn, which included a lot of negative criticism of his words and choices.
Irving told reporters that heโs happy to be in a place where he feels wanted. He then said that he felt disrespected during his time in Brooklyn.
โI just know I want to be in a place where Iโm celebrated and not just tolerated or dealt in a way where I donโt feel respected,โ Irving said. โThere were times throughout this process in Brooklyn where I felt very disrespected.โ
Irving said that heโs looking forward to changing the narrative about him and getting to โwrite my own story.โ
Asked to explain what the Nets organization did to disrespect him, Irving declined to answer and said he would provide details another time.
Irving was also asked why he deleted his apology on social media for sharing links to an antisemitic film, saying that he โdeletes things all the timeโ and still stands for โwho I am and why I apologized.โ He also complained about the way the media covered him during that time.
Naturally, Irvingโs comments and perceived lack of accountability for what happened in Brooklyn got the attention of the NBA world.
Aaaaaaaand we're offโฆ
โ Timothy McGrath (@timmybicicleta) February 7, 2023
It's a document retention policy issue! https://t.co/0rZpW8wD5L
โ Chris Towers is the Riley Greene Preservation Soc (@CTowersCBS) February 7, 2023
โ Adam Gold (@AGoldFan) February 7, 2023
The dude who deleted his apology to the Jewish community wants to talk about feeling disrespected huh https://t.co/C6nRtk0i5X
โ Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) February 7, 2023
I could never so much as pretend to understand this man and how his mind works. https://t.co/yUcNLZ7Uy5
โ sarah kelly (@thesarahkelly) February 7, 2023
Something tells us that Kyrie still has plenty of โinterestingโ thoughts for us in the days ahead.