After the Dallas Mavericks’ victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, Kyrie Irving opened up about his role as the team’s leader this season. The Mavericks guard reflected on how he has embraced this role throughout the season.
Irving shared that his motivation to become a leader was sparked last summer when the Mavericks were eliminated from playoff contention.
“Last summer, when we got exited from playoff contention and I’m watching my peers go for a chance at winning the golden trophy. You get motivation from failure,” Irving said.
This season, the Mavericks have taken a significant step toward their dream of lifting the championship trophy. It was due to in part to Irving’s leadership that he again put forward after the Mavs’ win over the Thunder. After defeating the Timberwolves in Game 1, Irving revealed that the team had numerous long meetings with head coach Jason Kidd, which sometimes felt like therapy sessions.
“We got to be honest with each other, we had a lot of long meetings with J-Kid, sometimes it felt like therapy,” he added.
This dedication to team communication and improvement has paid off. The Mavericks are now just three wins away from the NBA Finals, and seven wins away from an NBA championship.
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Derek Lively II Hails Kyrie Irving After Stellar Game 1 Performance
Kyrie Irving’s this season labels a dramatic turnaround for the star player. Last season, both individual and collective challenges cast a shadow over his career. Nevertheless, Irving has been working tirelessly to reverse his damaged legacy, and his efforts are paying off.
Following Irving’s heroic play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, his teammate Derek Lively II couldn’t help but express his admiration.
“Wow, that’s what I have to say. He’s an amazing player,” Lively said.
By halftime, the 32-year-old Mavs star scored 24 points on 11 of 14 shots against the Wolves. After setting the tone for the Mavericks, he finished the game with 30 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Irving’s partnership with Luka Doncic has been instrumental in the Mavericks’ success. In Game 1, the duo combined for 63 points. It made them the second duo in history to each score 30-plus points in their first conference finals game together.
