DALLAS — Kyrie Irving is still a superstar. He is one of the best players in the NBA. On Thursday, however, the Dallas Mavericks guard was asked how much he has left at 32 years old.
“I haven't even given that much thought to be honest with you,” Irving said. “It's been the longest season I've played in a while. I'm looking at the big picture in a way that I probably was not ready to look at in my early 20s or late 20s, the way technology is today, the way I take care of my body every day.
“The way I have the opportunity to learn more about my body as I get into my 30s, I'm appreciative. My mind continues to get sharper. My physical tools are obviously going to naturally deteriorate, which I can appreciate too… You got me over here speaking like I'm 38 already. But at 32 right now, I just feel like the sky's the limit.”
Irving still has plenty left in the tank. He believes the “sky's the limit.” And it is difficult to doubt the Mavs star.
In 2023-24, Irving averaged 25.6 points per game on 49.7 percent field-goal and 41.1 percent 3-point shooting. He added 5.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists per outing. He was still able to post impressive numbers despite missing time due to injury as Kyrie appeared in only 58 games played.
Kyrie remained healthy for most of the second half of the regular season. That has continued in the postseason as well. The fact that his body is holding up deep into the postseason is certainly a positive sign for the veteran.
Kyrie Irving is currently focused on trying to lead the Mavericks back into the series against the Celtics as Boston holds a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
Kyrie Irving, Mavericks preparing for Game 4
The Mavs understand that overcoming a 3-0 deficit will not be easy. It's going to require a complete team effort with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic leading the way.
So how can the Mavs prepare for Game 4? Irving used a metaphor on Wednesday after Game 3 to explain his mindset heading into the win-or-go-home contest.
“I just really think about going home and… this is a metaphor here, so just be ready. Just go home, get the ammo ready,” Irving said. “Get the bazooka… Get everything ready because when we come into Game 4, we know that we gotta shoot our shots. We gotta do it with an aggression.”
The Mavs need to be aggressive in the game. They cannot afford to let the Celtics jump out to an early significant lead. If Dallas can take control of the affair early, perhaps they will force a Game 5.
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