Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons haven’t exactly been the best of friends over the years. So, when Simmons recently dished out an unflattering take about Mavericks guard D’Angelo Russell, Irving called him out for it on X.
“Oh Bill, you would never say this to Dlo in person and we both know it.”
Oh Bill, you would never say this to Dlo in person and we both know it. https://t.co/Qb0Rj1sxP7 pic.twitter.com/krThotZ5rN
— Kyrie🤞🏾 (@KyrieIrving) October 11, 2025
Simmons had compared Russell to that friend whom you like having over at your house for a day, but get tired of by day six. This did prove to be the case for the one-time All-Star in his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers traded for Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves in February 2023, and all was good at the start. The team was 25-31 when he made his debut, and he played a part in them turning things around.
The Lakers would finish 44-39, and Russell was widely praised for his contributions. They would make their way to the Western Conference Finals, but the guard struggled on that stage, as the Denver Nuggets swept them.
Russell would disappoint against the Nuggets in the playoffs again in 2024 in the first round, and later lost his starting spot only a few games into the 2024-25 season. He was shipped off to the Brooklyn Nets in December 2024, and the fanbase wasn’t too down about the breakup.
Russell hit free agency after the season, and the Mavericks chose to sign him to a two-year, $13 million deal. He is going to be the starter at point guard for the first couple of months of the 2025-26 season, as Irving remains out after tearing his ACL in March 2025.
Irving has full faith in Russell, who averaged 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game in 2024-25, and it was a good gesture on his part to call out Simmons. Would the analyst say that to the guard’s face? Well, it will be interesting to see how Simmons responds.
Kyrie Irving Clapped Back At Bill Simmons After Signing His Deal With The Mavericks In 2023
Simmons hasn’t been all too complimentary of Irving after his stint with the Boston Celtics from 2017 to 2019. The nine-time All-Star didn’t leave on the best of terms and would find himself embroiled in a fair few controversies in the years that followed.
Irving wasn’t having much team success either, with the Mavericks even missing the playoffs in his first season. The team would still give him a three-year, $126 million extension in the summer of 2023, and Simmons appeared to think it was a massive overpay. Irving clapped back in response.
“I see you couldn’t help yourself with this one huh Billy Boy. Just wanna say I appreciate you and continue to be the person you are. My Tribe says hello.”
That extension did not come back to bite the Mavericks. Irving helped them get to the NBA Finals in 2024 and has stayed relatively controversy-free during his time in Dallas as well.
The Mavericks gave Irving a three-year, $119 million deal this summer, and Simmons did end up being off the mark when it comes to him. The team would be hoping that proves to be the case with Russell as well.
Crucially, the Mavericks won’t be relying too much on Russell come the playoffs. Irving, who averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 2024-25, will be back for the postseason.
