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Kyrie Irving Praises And Defends Kevin Durant

July 4, 2016. An Independence Day decision made by one of the NBA’s greatest players would send thousands of Oklahoma City Thunder fans–as well as NBA fans in general–into a tizzy, upsettingly remembering the news they heard that morning.

What was the horrible news? Kevin Durant has decided to part ways with the team to join forces with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in Golden State with the Warriors. Durant’s move was harshly criticized by the fans, media and other players, because he left an already great team and his friend and fellow All-Star, Russell Westbrook in the dust for a team that ended his championship hopes in 2016.

Ever since Durant made this move, he has become the most hated player in the league by NBA fans (and players). But now, Kyrie Irving came in to help Durant. Irving was a guest on The Bill Simmons Podcast and started praising and defending the league’s back-to-back MVP:

“Kevin Durant has a presence about him that’s really unassuming but he dominates games. […] And I think that in and of itself was like, ‘OK, now I got the championship, now I just wanna work on my craft.’ And now, of course, this platform we’re on as athletes becomes like, everyone starts attacking like, ‘NO, YOU’RE NOT ENOUGH. You’re not this, you’re not that.’ And it’s just like, ‘Bro, give it a break. Seriously. Let it go.’ Yes, he’s on an incredible team but he’s also the best player on that team.”