Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving is one of the most polarizing players in the NBA. For years, fans and media alike labeled him as a bad leader, bad locker room presence, and a bad teammate. Irving’s off-court issues in recent years have only fanned those flames.
Yet now, we are nearly three months removed from watching him play alongside Luka Doncic in a tremendous run all the way to the NBA Finals.
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When Irving was traded to Dallas in February of last year, there were countless questions of how he would affect the team chemistry. Was he going to be a good leader for the younger players in the locker room? Was he going to accept a lesser role in exchange for title contention?
These questions, among many others were quickly answered in spectacular fashion.
Last season, Irving tuned out the noise and torched NBA defenses. He finished the season with averages of 25.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting a blistering 49.7% from the field and 41.1% from three.
After the many clutch shots and mind-bending layups we saw from him last year. It’s only fair to acknowledge that many, including myself, were wrong about how Irving would fit in with the Mavericks.
The only remaining question is will it result in Dallas’ first championship since 2011?
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
