Star point guard Kyrie Irving has found his perfect match with the Dallas Mavericks. Speaking in a recent interview with team insider Grant Afseth, Irving explained his relationship with the franchise and how the city has accepted him for who he is both on and off the court.
“I have my own beliefs and views. I think, here in Dallas, I have been accepted way beyond just my talent on the court," said Irving. "I think it is for what I represent in the broader world. I think there's a genuine connection I have here and the fans relish that..."
Irving came to the Mavericks back in 2022 as part of a mid-season trade from the Brooklyn Nets. After such a tumultuous run in Brooklyn, there were questions about what kind of instability Irving would bring to Dallas.
Since Kyrie has been in a Dallas jersey, however, his off-court theatrics have come to an end and he's been scandal-free for almost a full season now. Unlike his previous stops, the Mavericks are not trying to silence Kyrie and they are not trying to convert him to their political ideals.
Instead, they are letting Irving handle his own business as long as he shows up ready to play every game. This season, with averages of 25.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game, he's been everything the Mavericks have needed offensively and they could pose a serious threat in the West if they finish in the top six.
But for as much as the Mavericks need Irving, his past continues to be a point of concern among critics and it remains to be seen if he can avoid any disruptions in the future.
The Brooklyn Nets Tried To Silence Kyrie Irving
While Irving did not mention the Nets or their owner Joe Tsai, his quote about being accepted sounds like a slight toward his former team. It's no secret that Irving rubbed shoulders with the front office before forcing his way out and he even hinted at ownership being directly involved in his reasoning for leaving.
Irving's co-star at the time, Kevin Durant, even sent a request through his agent demanding that Nets GM Sean Marks be fired along with the then-head coach, Steve Nash.
Nash ended up losing his job to Jacque Vaughn, but it still wasn't enough to convince the stars to stay. At that point, things were personal between Durant, Irving, and the Nets front office (Marks and Joe Tsai).
Irving still blames his former team for trying to silence his voice during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was taking a stand against the vaccine mandates. The Nets fought hard against Kyrie for his decision and famously barred him from playing unless he fulfilled a list of objectives.
In the end, all it did was drive Irving away and lead to the collapse of the short-lived "Big Three" with Irving, Durant, and James Harden. Instead, the Nets have Ben Simmons as the only consultation price and they can do nothing but watch as Kyrie finds prosperity in his new situation.
At 31 years old, Irving has already said he wants to retire with the Mavericks, and assuming they don't try to emulate what happened in Brooklyn, they should have no problem securing his commitment for the rest of his prime.
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