Kyrie Irving told NBA reporter Rachel Nichols that he wishes the Dallas Mavericks drafted him in 2011.
The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Irving with the first overall pick in the 2011 draft out of Duke. Irving has played for the Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Mavericks.
Irving requested a trade from the Nets last season and was traded to the Mavericks. Even though Dallas didn’t make the play-in tournament last season, the front office re-signed Irving to a three-year, $126 million contract in July.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Irving is averaging 23.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season for the Mavericks. The eight-time All-Star is shooting 47.1% from the field, 38.4% from beyond the arc and 90.3% from the free-throw line.
The Mavericks are 16-9 on the season. They are in third place in the Western Conference standings. Irving is currently out with a right heel contusion. He got hurt on December 8 versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
Irving will not require surgery on his right foot, which is great news for the Mavericks. Dallas looks like a legitimate title contender with Irving and Luka Doncic leading the way. The Mavericks haven’t won a ring since 2011. It will be fascinating to see if Doncic and Irving can lead Dallas to the championship this season.
Before he got hurt against the Blazers, Kyrie spoke with NBA reporter Grant Afseth of Sports Illustrated about Doncic, who is putting up amazing numbers for the Mavericks this season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks Updates
“Insane, bro. I’ve been with some of the best ever, and to see it up close is one thing, but to experience it as a teammate is a whole different world to be in because you’re watching it, and it looks so easy,” Irving said of Doncic. “But you know, it’s a lot of hours put in the gym for that guy—a lot of confidence and ultimately us as teammates. We just want to be there for him and support him. Like if you’re having a good night, a great night like that, man, keep feeding him, and he kept going, and we weren’t playing around tonight, so it felt good, for sure.”
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