Angry Kyrie Lashes out at Player Ranking

ESPN has published their latest player rankings for the upcoming 2023/24 season, and some superstars are not happy about their positioning on the list. One such star is outspoken Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, who blasted ESPN via Instagram and claimed to not respect their opinions.

Kyrie Irving reacts to ESPN ranking him the 34 best player of this year 👀

📸: Dustin Satloff/ GettyImages pic.twitter.com/9Koh0GKlri— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) October 11, 2023

ESPN ranked Kyrie 34th, which at first glance seems like a respectable number. However, when you look at some of the names ahead of him on this list, you have to wonder if ESPN got it wrong. Some notable names ranked ahead of Irving include Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Jrue Holiday, and Lauri Markkanen.

While "Uncle Drew" may not currently be in the best form of his career, after disappointing spells with Boston and Brooklyn, he was traded to Dallas towards the end of last season. He also signed an extension this off season to remain a Maverick for the foreseeable future and has an epic comeback plan to return to all-NBA form.


NBA Twitter has reacted to the Rankings and have mostly taken the same stance as Kyrie on the Matter.

I have many questions about this ESPN Ranking how is book not top 10??

No hate but how is Paolo Banchero and Lauri Markkanen higher than Kyrie Irving bro this is mind boggling and criminal

Booker falling down a spot is crazy but espn doing the list so it's expected to be trash pic.twitter.com/6xwu1Uc7Sy— 𝘿𝙊𝙈 (@DatBoyDominixk) October 11, 2023

I'm Team Anti-Ja Morant & I'm Kyrie Irving Hotep do be a lot but ESPN tripping ranking Kyrie #34 & Ja #35. pic.twitter.com/NzcCzWindS— Thirstiest Nigga in LA (@ashtonmorris1) October 11, 2023

Can you really list 35 players better than @KyrieIrving!? Lmfao @espn is different 😂😂— Danny (@DannyCage88) October 11, 2023

All Jokes Aside In What World Is Mikal Bridges Better then Ja Morant Or Kyrie Irving 😂😂🤣🤣🤣 ESPN " Experts" Have To Stop that BS Paolo Banchero Ranked Higher to 💩💩💩💩— Chase_Mullaa (@chase_mullaa) October 11, 2023

Last season, Kyrie averaged 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, which, on paper, looks better than the 34th ranked player. Nonetheless, Kyrie claims to not care anyway and will no doubt be trying to prove people wrong as he and Luka Doncic try to lead the Dallas Mavericks to the postseason this year.

You can watch Irving's season highlights below as well as see the full ESPN player ranking.


ESPN Player Rankings 50 - 11

ESPN Player Rankings 100 - 51

The top 10 is yet to be published