Kyrie Irving is just four games away from history as the Dallas Mavericks prepare to take on the Boston Celtics in the NBA finals. After making it through a stacked western conference the Mavericks deserve a ton of credit for reaching this point, especially considering they were not expected to be in this position at the start of the season.. A championship for this Mavericks team would mean a lot considering they arguably have the best player in the world in Luka Doncic who is just 25 years old. However, the Mavericks would not be here if not for the brilliant play and veteran leadership of Kyrie Irving. At this point in Irving's career, a second NBA title could be huge for his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play and would be a well-deserved renaissance for a player who is often misunderstood.
The career of Kyrie Irving has gone through its fair share of ups and downs despite being such an electrifying talent. Since asking for a trade from the Cavaliers after the 2017 season he never was able to lift a team to consistent playoff success despite all of the talent around him. His short-lived run with the Nets is one of the biggest disappointments in NBA history considering the offensive talents of Irving alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden. Before that, he was expected to be the focal point of a talented Celtics team with a young Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Unfortunately, that situation did not work out either as Irving recently admitted his shortcomings as a Celtic stating, "That wasn't a great reflection of who I am" referring to his tenure as a Boston Celtic. Not long ago, he had become more known for missing games as injuries, COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and a suspension due to his controversy over an antisemitic documentary limited his time on the floor. Even after being traded to the Dallas Mavericks last season his pairing with Luka was questioned as the Mavericks fell out of playoff contention.
This season could be known as a redemption tour for Irving as he appears to have found comfort in Dallas after signing a three-year contract last summer. What made the signing significant is that Irving's request for a trade came after it was reported the Nets were not willing to offer a contract that he felt was fair. Look no further than the Mavericks playoff run as a clear example that they are now reaping the benefits as the duo of Irving and Doncic is arguably the best in the league. Kyrie is arguably having more impact on this team than ever before as beyond his incredible play his leadership has been a standout for this team. Since his trade from the Cavaliers, his leadership has routinely been questioned for years but his growth and maturity has been noteworthy, benefitting both himself and his team.
It's no secret that winning a championship at this point in Irving's career could have a tremendous impact on how his career especially post-Lebron is remembered as some doubted he would be able to lead a team to the Finals. As meaningful as his first title was considering the historic 3-1 comeback, I believe this title could mean even more Kyrie's legacy. If he becomes the only superstar teammate of Lebron to win a title without him, other than Dwyane Wade, it could change the way his career is viewed. This is particularly significant because he has been more than a sidekick to Doncic as at times he has served as a mentor and calming presence to a team with a lot of young talent.
Most significantly, a second NBA title could validate many people's belief that Irving was wrongly left off the NBA's 75th-anniversary team. Many of his peers including former teammate Lebron James expressed their disagreement with Irving being left off the prestigious list. Despite this omission, Irving is widely considered one of the most skilled players ever. A victory over his former team would elevate him to legendary status as one of the all-time greats, further solidifying his position among basketball's elite.
Source: NBA YouTube channel
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