In a recent stream with Kai Cenat, NBA superstar Kyrie Irving opened up on the 2024 NBA Finals loss to the Celtics. Kyrie called the ’24 Celtics squad a “superteam” and implied that the Mavericks could have beaten any other team in the series.
“We lost in the Finals last year, you don’t think we’re a little more motivated? We were right there,” said Irving. “We were going against a superteam.”
NBA superteams may not be as popular as they once were, but the Boston Celtics certainly qualify as one with their current roster. With players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday, they are arguably the deepest team in the NBA and they are continuing their championship trajectory this season at 16-3.
Irving, 32, lost to that Celtics team once already, and he knows that beating them now won’t be any easier. The 8x All-Star won the championship back in 2016 when he helped the Cavaliers mount a 1-3 series comeback in the Finals. Alongside LeBron James, he helped the Cavs pull off the impossible against one of the greatest teams ever assembled.
Ever since that heroic run, however, it’s been nothing but chaos and mayhem for Irving. From forcing his way out of the Celtics to abandoning his loyalties to the Nets, Irving has burned many bridges on the path to self-discovery, but the Mavericks have been a perfect fit so far.
Since Irving’s arrival, the Mavs have been consistent contenders in the West and even went as far as the NBA Finals last summer. Thanks to hot shooting from the stars and solid defensive play from the frontcourt, the Mavericks cruised through the West bracket and many thought they had a real chance to win the Finals.
If not for the strength of their competition, the Mavericks might’ve gone all the way. Instead, the collective talent of the Celtics was far too much for the Mavericks to handle and they got eliminated in just five games.
The Mavericks responded by adding some more fire-power of their own in the form of Klay Thompson. The legendary “splash brother” was a free agent this summer and he chose the Mavericks over a new deal with the Warriors.
Believing they had a superteam of their own, the Mavericks came into this season confident in their chances to come out of the West but now things don’t seem nearly as sure. At just 11-8, it’s been a rocky start to the 2024-25 campaign and the Mavericks have no idea how to stop the bleeding.
Fortunately, after coming so close to the title last year, Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks have more faith than ever in their ability to turn this season around and make a historic playoff run. With, arguably, the best duo in basketball, the Mavericks should have enough to challenge any team in the NBA, but it remains to be seen how they stack up against the Celtics, who are once again the NBA title favorites.
Tonight, Irving and the Mavericks are in Salt Lake City for a game against the Jazz at Delta Center. Tomorrow, they complete their back-to-back set at Moda Center, at 9:00 PM EST, against the Portland Trail Blazers. Irving and company are back in Dallas for the NBA Emirates Cup on December 3rd, for a game against the Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.
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