Dallas Mavs Owner Mark Cuban on Kyrie Irving: 'His Heart's Always in The Right Place'

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban appeared on All The Smoke podcast, where he spoke on his relationship with Kyrie Irving.

Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving is one of the more polarizing athletes we have, not just in the NBA, but in all of sports. 

Irving, who signed a three-year, $120 million dollar contract with the Mavs this past offseason, is in his first full season in Dallas following his trade from the Brooklyn Nets last February.

Mavs' owner Mark Cuban appeared on All The Smoke with former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson to discuss all things about the Mavericks and his journey, including his thoughts on and relationship with Irving.

"I love Kai," Cuban said of Irving. "His heart's always in the right place. Now, you might not agree with him all the time on some takes he has but that's okay."

Mavs' Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving share an embrace against the Charlotte Hornets / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Cuban has consistently said that he believes that Irving 'gets a bad wrap' for some of things he says or has posted on social media in the past. But for Cuban, he knows that not everyone gets along or agrees on every topic, but there needs to be a share of respect.

"There's going to be stuff we disagree with and as long as we respect each other, that's fine," Cuban said. "I respect him, not just his talent on the court but how he connects to people off the court and how he connects to other players."

Irving is well-regarded across the league as one of the veteran stars that young players look up to, not just for his all-time handles and impossible shot making, but for who he is as a man and how he carries himself as well. As Cuban noted, Irving's way of speaking to his teammates by having real, deep conversations that are beyond just basketball which helps him create those connections with his peers.

Though Irving may continue to get that bad rap from outside media or fans of other teams, as long as his team knows who he is while also having mutual respect, then that outside noise will be put on mute.

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