(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks have taken Game 1.
Jason Kidd’s team stole homecourt advantage from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and they’re now the odds-on favorites to make it out of the Western Conference Finals and onto the NBA Finals.
Notably, Kyrie Irving deserves a lot of credit for their win in Game 1.
He seemed to have taken Anthony Edwards’ challenge personally and went back to being the aggressive driver and scorer of old.
Irving finished the night with 30 points, five rebounds, four assists, and one block on 52.2% from the floor, turning back the clock after struggling to get much going vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That’s why Mavericks’ rookie C Dereck Lively tipped his hat to him, calling him an amazing player and admitting to being in awe of him despite being his teammate (via NBA).
“Wow, that’s what I have to say. He’s an amazing player.”
Dereck Lively admires Kyrie Irving after his 30-point night pic.twitter.com/TEO2L0xTSX
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2024
For years, Irving has been in the discussion for being the most talented NBA player — which doesn’t necessarily mean the best.
His handles are second to none, he can score from all three levels, and he has the footwork of a seven-footer in the body of a point guard.
Even so, Lively wasn’t too shabby, either.
It’s not so often that a playoff team finds a rookie who can contribute on both ends of the floor and be a factor in the playoffs, and he’s been very impressive for them right out of the gate.
Of course, he got overshadowed as a rookie big man by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, but Lively should also have a long and successful career in this league as a rim-protecting, rim-running glass-cleaner.
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