Kyrie stubborn in face of critique: 'I don't have to be perfect'

Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving isn't going to alter his approach to change how people - both inside and outside the organization - view him.

"I don't have to be perfect for anyone here, nor do I have to be perfect for the public," Irving said after Wednesday's loss to the Indiana Pacers, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews. "I am not here to dispel any perception. I am here to be myself."

ESPN's Jackie MacMullan reported earlier this week that Irving's propensity for "mood swings" had created some unease within the organization, citing a pair of incidents during the offseason where Irving refused to cooperate with team activities.

"Who cares what ESPN or anyone says?" Irving said when asked about MacMullan's piece. "I love myself. I love my family. I love my friends. I love playing basketball."

While Irving has lit up the league with 35.3 points and 6.3 assists per game through four outings, the Nets are just 1-3.