[Saba Sports News] Kyrie Irving seems to be quite upset with his low ranking on ESPN’s annual list of the top 100 NBA players this year. The star player for the Dallas Mavericks, Irving, was surprisingly placed at the 34th position on the list, just one spot lower than his 33rd ranking by ESPN the previous year.
Expressing his discontent on Instagram, Irving didn’t mince words in responding to ESPN’s ranking. He stated, “Why should anyone care? I certainly don’t. These rankings hold no significance, especially when they come from ESPN or any other media outlet. In my view, most of these analysts lack credibility, and I have no respect for their opinions.”
Irving’s frustration is understandable, considering his consistent performance last season with averages of 27 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds per game, along with an impressive 51.0 percent field goal percentage. It’s worth noting that despite his individual success, the Mavericks finished the season with a 38-44 record, missing out on the play-in tournament.
Irving is not the first NBA player to voice dissatisfaction with his ESPN ranking, and he likely won’t be the last. However, given his well-known aversion to the mass media, it’s no surprise that he took this ranking personally.