The early part of the 2019-20 NBA regular season has not been kind to Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving. Aside from dealing with a shoulder impingement that has taken him out of commission since November, the 27-year-old has also been the target of harsh criticisms from several notable retired players.

Irving, who jumped ship to the Nets after just two seasons with the Boston Celtics, has come under fire from former Celtic players Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins. The trio, who have move on to analysts roles, have been vocal about their displeasure with Irving's short-lived tenure in Beantown.

Due to his injury, Irving missed his supposed return to Boston on November 30, which irked his detractors even more. Uncle Drew recently broke his silence about the unjust criticism he has received in a lengthy tell-all with New York sportswriter Mike Mazzeo.

Without dropping names, Irving addressed the hate and once again reminded that basketball is just a sport.

“I can’t control what anyone says about me when I’m not talking or when I am talking or when I’m in an arena or when I’m not. People are going to say regardless whatever they feel. I respect that, but at the end of the day it’s entertainment, man. It’s changing,” Kyrie Irving told Mazzeo.

Irving has indeed been spectacular in the 11 games that he has suited up this season, tallying remarkable averages of 28.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 93.7 percent from the free-throw line. His individual brilliance, however, did not translate to wins, as the Nets struggled right out of the gate.

It also doesn't help his cause that the Nets actually started playing better without him, thanks in large part to the improved play of Spencer Dinwiddie.