On Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz at home, improving to 41-29 on the year and moving into sixth place in the Western Conference.
Dallas is currently on a three-game winning streak, with the previous two wins coming against the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs. The Mavs have shown they can compete with any team in the NBA, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving at their core.
Doncic and Irving are one of the most potent duos in the NBA, and no one wants to see them come the playoffs. Either player can take over the game at any time, and Dallas' defense is elite as well.
P.J. Washington continues to shut down the opposing team's best players, and this team meshes perfectly. Their chemistry was on full display against the Jazz, breaking the franchise record for most dunks in a single game. Irving also got in on the action, catching Doncic's alley-oop. The entire arena was excited about this play, and Doncic was overjoyed at being the second baseman.
Earlier this season, Irving said he wished he had been drafted by Dallas, and his actions on and off the floor continue to show the Mavs are the perfect spot for him.
After Thursday night's game, I asked Irving how the city of Dallas and its fans have embraced him after living here for a year.
I asked Kyrie Irving how people in Dallas have received him.
“For me, it's just adjusting here and establishing myself as one of the community leaders…I think being here in Dallas has allowed me to be accepted for far more than just my talent on the court… ”
Good things have arrived from Kylie. pic.twitter.com/hF9JDQzIH0
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) March 22, 2024
“For me, it's just adjusting here and establishing myself as one of the community leaders,” Irving said. “I have my own beliefs and views, and I think being here in Dallas has allowed me to be accepted for much more than just my talent on the court. It's about what I represent in the broader world. I think it’s because of the presence of people there.”
Irving then talked about how he tries to remember the names of every fan he meets, and it's clear this may be the happiest of his career. He ended badly in both Brooklyn and Boston, but since coming to Dallas he has been a model citizen and teammate on and off the court.
Irving is always donating to various charities, hosting community events (like he did recently at the release of ANTA KAI 1 in Deep Ellum), and expressing how much he loves playing here.
Just as the fans have always shown their appreciation for him, Dallas has returned the same love to Irving. The Mavs sometimes fly Irving's personal chef to prepare meals for him during Ramadan. There's no talk of another team doing something like this for him, and given how both sides feel about each other, Irving could remain a Maverick for the rest of his career.
Check out the latest information on Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks this season.
