There’s no question Kyrie Irving is one of the best stars to ever play the game, as noted by Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka. In response, the Dallas Mavericks point guard dropped his honest take on the praise he received from him.
Udoka’s comment on Irving comes after the Mavericks got the 125-107 win over Houston, effectively snapping their 11-game winning streak in the process. Luka Doncic exploded in that contest by dropping 47 points on 60 percent shooting from the field, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Irving contributed 24 points and seven assists to help Dallas close out the Rockets in their own home court.
Houston saw a big night from Jabari Smith Jr., a second-year player who tallied 28 points and seven rebounds. Jalen Green, the Rockets’ best player during their recent stretch, was limited to only 12 points on 33 percent shooting from the field. Aaron Holiday came off the bench to add 16 points and five rebounds against the Mavs.
The win placed Dallas in a tie with the New Orleans Pelicans for the fifth spot in the Western Conference. However, the Rockets’ loss came with around the same time Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors won, which meant they are now a couple of games out of the Play-In Tournament.
Dallas Mavericks Star Kyrie Irving Reacts To Ime Udoka’s Praise About Him
After the game, Udoka praised Irving for being the best one-on-one player he has coached or been around. He added that it’s an every night thing and the Mavericks star does something that will wow you. Irving’s response can be seen in video posted by Shane Young on X:
“I’m appreciative of everyone’s most-skilled compliments, but that’s not the reason I picked up a basketball … to be the best one-on-one player of all time or to be labeled as the most skilled. I just want to be known as a great winner.”
– Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/aZxq6dVawZ
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) April 1, 2024
Given all of what the Mavericks guard has done in the NBA, it only makes sense for winning to be the only thing that makes sense for him. Unlike most of the guys he has played with, the All-Star point guard has won a championship and winning another one is the only goal for Irving.
In any case, Udoka’s praise still stands true. Irving is definitely one of the best to ever play the game and the coming days will see him perform at the highest level as the Mavericks are projected to make the playoffs.
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