The 2024 NBA Finals ended disappointingly for Kyrie Irving, as the Dallas Mavericks lost in five games to the Boston Celtics. Following the 106-88 loss in Game 5, Irving sent a message to his supporters where he urged them to stay together.
“Tribe, stay together no matter what. Through the ups and downs, wins and losses, success and failure. Keep your head up high. This mission is bigger than us. I love you all! Hélà.”
That is a great message about life in itself. Staying together and keeping your head high even after failing is important to have success down the road. The Mavericks and their fans would be hoping that greater times are lying ahead, after what was an incredibly disappointing setback.
The Mavericks had come into the Finals carrying a lot of momentum after comfortably dispatching the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, but the Celtics put the clamps on them. That potent offense only scored more than 100 points in one of the five games and Irving can be held responsible for that.
Kyrie averaged 19.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 0.6 steals per game against the Celtics and shot 41.4% from the field and 27.6% from beyond the arc. The eight-time All-Star played well at home but was absolutely dreadful on the road.
In the three games in Boston, Kyrie only averaged 14.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He shot 34.0% from the field and a woeful 17.6% from beyond the arc.
The Mavericks’ win in Game 4 had presented Irving with a chance at gaining some redemption in Game 5 in Boston, but he failed to deliver. It was clear that the crowd had gotten into the 32-year-old’s head as he struggled to perform in what was a very hostile environment.
It’s a shame that this run ended on such a terrible note for Irving. He had played so well to get the Mavericks to the Finals for the first time since 2011, but all that has now seemingly been brushed aside.
Kyrie Irving Is Confident That The Mavericks Can Regularly Compete For Championships
Kyrie was in an optimistic mood following the end of the Finals. When asked about the team’s future, Irving stated he is confident the Mavericks could compete for championships regularly.
“Very confident [in the team’s future]. That’s one positive that we can take from this series, just how far we made it and how proud I am of the guys. We answered a lot of questions this year on what we’re capable of doing. Now it’s just about being consistent. I think, probably in the last week, I said that I wanted [us] to be remembered as one of the best teams of this era.”
“The last few champions have been new ones, each and every year. I see an opportunity for us to really build our future in a positive manner where this is almost like a regular thing for us and we’re competing for championships. I think from a spiritual standpoint, I enjoyed this journey more than any other season. Just because of the redemption arc and getting to learn as much as I did about myself, my teammates, the organization, and the people I’m around.”
This run to the Finals showed that the Mavericks certainly are a team that can contend. Irving aside, they are a relatively young group, so you would expect them to improve in the coming years too. The question, though, is just how effective Kyrie will be moving forward.
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