Kyrie Irving has earned a reputation for outstaying his welcome on every team he has ever played for. Midway through the previous season, the Nets traded Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, and for the time being, at least, he seemed content there. The Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving, who is now a bright star, recently made a disclosure that has shocked the NBA community.
“I wish I would’ve got drafted by Dallas initially. Obviously, they weren’t in position in 2011, but just feeling how this organization wraps their arms around the guys.”
Kyrie Irving on the culture he’s experienced with the Mavericks 🙌pic.twitter.com/4U5f1YyzGA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 29, 2023
After a protracted absence from media appearances, Irving revealed shocking information about his 2011 NBA draft while expressing his satisfaction with the Mavericks. He extended his contract earlier this summer to stay in Dallas, and he admitted that he wished the organization had selected him in the 2011 draft.
“I wish I would’ve got drafted by Dallas initially. Obviously, they weren’t in a position in 2011, but just feeling how this organization wraps their arms around the guys,” he said during an interview. Although he acknowledged there weren’t many other alternatives on the table, the 31-year-old said he was more than delighted to return to Dallas.
Last season, together, Irving and Luka Doncic had a record of 5-11, and ultimately, the team couldn’t perform well enough to make the postseason. Having more time to work out with Kyrie throughout training camp and the preseason, in Luka’s opinion, will make all the difference.
Kyrie Irving shares a hot take on the Cleveland Cavaliers player culture
Since they had recently defeated LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks were actually in no position to choose Kyrie in 2011. While Cleveland was the less fortunate club in the league and had the chance to choose Irving despite the fact that he only appeared in 11 games for Duke, LeBron was still three years away from joining Kyrie there.
To be fair to Kai, he did have three really difficult seasons prior to LeBron James’ return to Cleveland. Over Irving’s first three seasons, the Cavaliers had a 78–170 record. Irving’s implication that Dallas has a better player culture than the Cavs had in 2011 has fans heated. Keeping in mind that Kyrie did not actually leave the Cavaliers on good terms, it could backfire for him.
The main reason for the separation was Irving’s desire for a change of environment. He hoped to leave his own legacy as well. Together, the two players took home a championship, but Irving played Robin and James played Batman. It was time for Kyrie to take the lead as the best choice.