Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks is looking forward, though still reflecting on the recent past. During a live stream, as reported by Noah Weber, Irving discussed last season, particularly how it ended with his Mavericks falling to the Boston Celtics in the Finals.
“Last year was definitely disappointing in terms of not winning the Finals,” Irving admitted, adding that “blood is definitely in the water” as the Mavericks aim for another Finals appearance next year.
Irving accepted responsibility for his performance, saying, “I did not play my best down the stretch, and it’s been eating me alive in a healthy way.”
In this statement, Irving acknowledged his shortcomings while reassuring Mavericks fans: “We’re going to be back.” Despite the loss, the Mavericks can take pride in their 2023-24 season, even without a championship.
Irving finished the season with an average of 25.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, blending well with Luka Doncic. However, some critics felt his playoff performance didn’t live up to expectations, saying he needed to step up more in the Finals, where he averaged 19.8 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Irving’s dissatisfaction with his play bodes well for the Mavericks, as he’s determined to come back stronger next season. While he’s setting big goals, the question remains: Can Kyrie deliver on his promise?