(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Kyrie Irving is concluding his first full season with the Dallas Mavericks and it’s unquestionably been a good one.
The team is doing much better than they did last season and is now on the verge of breaking into the postseason, something they failed to do last year.
When Irving first joined the team, some people questioned Dallas’ decision.
In fact, ESPN gave the trade for Irving a “D” rating at the time.
Irving hasn’t forgotten that and still uses it as motivation.
On Thursday night, Irving spoke with Landon Thomas and the press and said he still has a meme on his phone that features the “D” grade that Dallas got after the trade.
He said that the current state of the team and the success they have found is evidence that his move to the Mavericks wasn’t bad at all.
Kyrie Irving said he has this meme in his phone of ESPN giving the Dallas Mavericks a “D” after trading for him.
Irving said the Mavs clinching postseason and putting themselves in a great position definitely answered some of the questions asked last season. pic.twitter.com/xEYyxiZSRr
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) April 5, 2024
Irving’s trade had a few people scratching their heads last season.
These people didn’t understand how Irving would work alongside Luka Doncic.
It seemed like it would fill the Mavericks’ roster with too many shooters.
Additionally, there were some analysts and fans who questioned Irving’s commitment to the team and thought he could demand a trade shortly after arriving in Dallas.
Although Irving scored an average of 27 points per game during his first few months with the Mavericks, the team still failed to make the playoffs and fans hung their heads low.
This season, things have changed.
Irving is posting 25.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game and has built a strong chemistry with Doncic.
They have created one of the best backcourts in the entire NBA and the team is in better shape than it has been in several years.
To Irving, that means the whole situation is A+.
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