Tracy McGrady (Photo by Kyle Terada/Imagn Images) and Kyrie Irving (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Kyrie Irving is not the one to sit back and listen to trolls. In a recent appearance on ‘The Old Man and the Three’ podcast, Tracy McGrady had an interesting point of view to share. Speaking about who has the better ball handling, McGrady picked Jamaal Tinsley over Irving. Now, this was quite surprising as Irving ranks quite high on the list of NBA athletes having impeccable ball handling. And while McGrady might not have meant it as a jab, Irving was swift to respond.
In a recent livestream, Irving took the opportunity to hit back at McGrady’s choices. Irving pointed out that at this moment, it really did not bother him what was being spoken of him. However, immediately after, the Dallas Mavericks star dropped a bold response. He clarified that Jamaal Tinsley did not have the same agility and ball-handling ability as him.
“When I see these things happen, when I see an OG like T-Mac come out and say that, it doesn’t bother me. I’m a mix of all the great players that came before me. I just don’t think he has the same movement. Jamaal Tinsley was not moving like me. I don’t think anybody moves like me,” said Irving.
Kyrie’s response to Tracy McGrady saying Jaamal Tinsley has better handles than him 👀 https://t.co/tHoF3IiVuD pic.twitter.com/Cxk74CFgbk
— Kyrie Center (@kyriecenterig) June 14, 2025
Surely, Irving might not have made his team perform well this season. But he will be one to watch out for if the Mavericks can rope in some quality athletes. However, Irving cannot only defend himself. He can also take a stand for his fellow NBA athletes.
Kyrie Irving Steps Up For Karl-Anthony Towns
Kyrie Irving and Karl-Anthony Towns (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Karl-Anthony Towns did an impressive job for the New York Knicks. Unfortunately, despite his heroics, problems on his defensive end had the fans up in arms. While KAT got significantly ridiculed online, Kyrie Irving jumped into his defense. He asked the trolls to stop sharing the hatred immediately and also warned them of launching an online attack.
“Y’all gotta stop making fun of my brother KAT. I’m done with y’all. Stop making fun of my brother KAT. It’s over. It’s a f*****g wrap. I’m letting y’all know, if you repost that sh*t again, meme him up, I’m attacking you. Not like that physically in GTA, but I’m attacking you,” Irving said.
Kyrie: “Y’all gotta stop making fun of my brother KAT…Repost that sh*t again…I’m attacking you…Y’all don’t know what it’s like growing up in Jersey…all these cultures…I don’t agree all the time when he be changin up his tone😆but…he’s a man, he’s my brother & I protect him” pic.twitter.com/njDJS5tWhl
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 11, 2025
Thus, with Kyrie Irving looking to have his hands full, it now remains to be seen how things pan out.
Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.
Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.
‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.
‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’
‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’
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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.
The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.
‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.
‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’
Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.
During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.
Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.
‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.
‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’
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