Kyrie Irving continues to be the man in the Dallas Mavericks organization who speaks the most sense.
The Dallas Mavericks‘ decision to trade for Kyrie Irving in 2023 was met with a lot of questions. It has worked out very well so far.
The presence of Irving is particularly valuable right now. The 2016 NBA Champion has been a voice of reason in the wake of the Luka Doncic trade that has rocked the Mavs fanbase.
There have been protests from fans, while GM Nico Harrison has come in for serious criticism following the decision to trade away their generational superstar.
In a fresh interview with ESPN, Irving has pleaded for more tolerance, and for respect, all around, including respect for Luka Doncic.
He explained: “Part of our job every day to deal with the public space, but there were real relationships that were built behind the scenes that will transcend just the basketball court, coaching, and then upper management.
“I know that for my own peace of mind, just because we not only had two years together, but we got a chance to know each other as men.”
“Hopefully, we can tailor back on some of the public criticism aspects of it and really just maintain the kindness and the compassion that we have for each other that’s real every day.”
Amid efforts to justify their decision, Nico Harrison and governor Patrick Dumont have criticized aspects of Luka Doncic’s approach by suggesting he did not fit the team’s culture.
Dumont has come in for flak, and attempting to tarnish Doncic’s reputation does nobody any good.
Mavs fans have responded positively to Irving’s comments, viewed as pleading for respect for his former teammate and the relationship he had with him, while wishing for a more cordial discussion than the anger that has been present from fans.
One response on X pointed out: “Nobody speaking poorly about Luka except the Mavs.”
While another added: “Even he knows that this smear campaign is going too far.”
A third wrote: “Kyrie is solid gold. We will always resent he and Luka not getting a chance to win it all together.”
“The Mavs players have really been the only people speaking to give me any sort of peace of mind, especially Kyrie,” added a fourth.
Another asked, “Who had Kyrie Irving as the most mature voice and leader of this organization two years ago when the trade was made?”
“Love this but Kyrie should not have to be the one to say this,” wrote another.
Kyrie Irving is positioning himself as the new leader of the Dallas Mavericks, a role he stepped into during Doncic’s injury issues earlier this season.
A new report from ESPN looking ahead to free agency has tipped Irving as one of the top players to watch this summer.
Irving has a player option, which he could decline, and become a free agency. Dallas will be desperate to lock him up after losing Doncic, and he has all the leverage.
