The Dallas Mavericks exceeded expectations last season when they made it to the NBA Finals. However, they bumped into a great Boston Celtics squad that beat them in five games.
Kyrie Irving played below par in the series, averaging 19.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while shooting only 41.4 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from three-point land. Before that, he averaged 27.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game on 49 percent shooting from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point land against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.
As Irving looks ahead to his 14th NBA season, he took responsibility for the Finals defeat and added that he wants to run it back with the Dallas Mavericks.
“We got there for a reason. Blood is definitely in the water. I’m always going to take accountability, and it starts with me,” Irving said during a Twitch livestream.
“I didn’t play my best at all down the stretch, and it’s been eating me alive in a healthy way. I’ve been staying motivated. We’re gonna be back. Just gonna have fun and take it day by day. But losing f**ing sucks, though,” he added.
Dallas Mavericks like their chances in 2024-25
The Dallas Mavericks were aggressive this offseason, as they acquired Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, and Spencer Dinwiddie while losing Tim Hardaway Jr., Derrick Jones Jr., and Josh Green in free agency.
The addition of Klay Thompson is exciting for Dallas Mavericks supporters because of his championship pedigree and elite outside shooting.
Health will be a huge factor for the Mavs next season, especially since Luka Doncic was banged up for most of the playoffs and Kyrie Irving underwent hand surgery this summer. If both stay injury-free, they should be one of the top contenders in the Western Conference.
