[Saba Sports News] Kyrie Irving appears to be in high spirits as he approaches his first full season with the Dallas Mavericks. Following a disappointing end to the previous season with the team missing the playoffs, Irving is determined to step up as a leader for the franchise and is prepared to embrace discomfort when necessary.
Irving expressed his commitment to leading the team in a new and unconventional way, which includes being vulnerable and stepping out of his comfort zone to inspire his teammates. He emphasized his readiness for new challenges and growth.
In the previous season, Irving had an impressive statistical performance, averaging 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 20 games for the Mavericks. His on-court contributions, alongside Luka Doncic, made the Mavs one of the top offensive teams in the NBA. However, the trade that brought Irving to the team resulted in the loss of Dorian Finney-Smith and weakened their defense, leading to a decline in their playoff seeding.
With offseason additions focused on defense, Kyrie’s role as a leader and communicator between the players and Luka Doncic will be crucial for team cohesion. Unlike his time with the Nets, Irving now seems appreciative of the Mavericks’ coaching and leadership staff and is motivated to help the team return to championship contention.