The Mavericks are having a nail-biting semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder and to move past their strong defense and secure two wins, a lot of motivation was needed for the team. While some might be wondering what drives them, Kyrie Irving revealed his answer in a recent presser.
After the 105-101 win on Saturday, when the Mavs guard was asked what motivates him, he started off by saying that he does not feel the need to prove his worth. Then he referred to the NY Knicks player Josh Hart’s quote to discuss his perception, “I think Josh Hart had a tremendous quote where he talked about people having 12-hour shifts & we get to go out there & play a game that we love. I think that was the nail right on the head for a lot of us & the way we feel…”
Irving believes that many players forget that they have earned the privilege of playing one of the best sports in their profession after much hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. However, he never takes the game for granted; rather, he feels blessed to be able to acquire a livelihood through the NBA.
The 8-time All-Star knows the importance of setting an example for the following generation as he wants them to appreciate the game as “an art space and not just business.”
Although Irving slowed down in the second-round series, he still managed to bag some points in Game 3 that helped the franchise aside from his personal milestone.
Kyrie Irving Moves Up in All-Time Ranking After Game 3
Kyrie Irving maintained his postseason form in game 3 and, as a result, moved up on the scoring ladder. The 32-year-old entered Saturday’s game with a total of 1912 playoff career points and added 22 points by the end of the game.
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He surpassed NBA greats Carmelo Anthony (1914), Chet Walker (1916), Walt Frazier (1927), and Gus Williams (1929) to sit comfortably in the 70th spot on the list. The Mavs guard is 5 points behind Robert Horry, who he will easily overtake in the upcoming game on Monday.
Irving has proved to be an important asset for the Mavericks, supporting their star, Luka Doncic, with his contribution of 23.3 points per game in the playoffs. Aside from the points and plays, he also brings championship experience to the team, which has so far guided the Mavs on their quest for the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Also Read: Social Media Applauds Kyrie Irving for Gifting Shoes to Young Fan in Attendance During Game 2
