Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Kyrie Irving is currently engaged in a contentious standoff with reporters, and Kevin Love called out his former teammate for using a disrespectful term to characterize the men and women who work in the media.

Irving and the Brooklyn Nets were both fined $25,000 this week over his refusal to meet with reporters, which violates the NBA’s media rules. The point guard subsequently shared a statement on Instagram Friday in which he referred to media members as “pawns.”

Love, who spent three seasons with Irving on the Cleveland Cavaliers, could not help but call out his former teammate for such divisive rhetoric.

Love also said that the late Flip Saunders taught him during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves that every person deserves respect and has a role to play.

As far as Irving’s ongoing feud with the media, his stubborn stance is not surprising. The mercurial superstar announced his media boycott earlier this month in a statement.

Love’s full comments on the Irving situation, including how the Cavs star admits he can understand to some extent where his old teammate is coming from, follow.

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