The Dallas Mavericks fell short of their ultimate goal of winning the franchise’s second NBA title, but Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving made believers out of the most ardent skeptics in the process.
The Mavericks’ Irving showed he could still hang with younger players as he sliced and diced his way to the Finals, leading Coach Jason Kidd’s team to a showdown against his former team the Boston Celtics. One player who enjoyed the Mavs’ run was former Mavericks star Deron Williams, who spoke about what makes Irving so special recently.
The Mavericks were included in the inaugural NBA Cup’s (formerly known as the In-Season Tournament) Group of Death highlighting the urgency to improve this off-season. Meanwhile, a Philadelphia 76ers guard’s “disrespect” of Doncic is turning heads in Dallas.
Irving’s popularity has not come close to waning, as a recent Eminem rap track named after him showed. Williams is just one of several players who have given Irving his flowers in recent years, and now “D-Will” is speaking out.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) dribbles the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) and center Dereck Lively II (2) during the fourth quarter in game five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden.
Williams spoke via ThePlayersTV podcast during which he gave his flowers to the longtime NBA point guard.
“And he’s posting up dudes 6’6, 6’7,” Williams added about Irving’s offensive repertoire, which helped the Mavericks to knock off Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, punching their ticket to the NBA Finals vs. Boston.