Kyrie Irving

Having successfully evolved from mere contender to a team capable of representing the Wild West in the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks can look back fondly on one player — and one philosophical change — that helped guide them over the hump. In buzzsawing their way into 22 fastbreak points on November 8, 2024, they often enjoyed the opportunity to introduce the Phoenix Suns to both at once. Marvelous in open-floor play already, Kyrie Irving presses the issue once more in transition, studying the scene of a could-be scoring chance, even with Dallas facing a two-on-three numbers disadvantage. Knowing his one-of-a-kind creativity to be a wild card capable of offsetting all, Irving tempts Phoenix into challenging his could-be drive with car salesman-like effectiveness before shoveling a no-look, over-the-shoulder dime to a teammate for an invigorating assist. Phoenix enjoyed slightly superior execution down the stretch, dealing Dallas’ newly-designed fast-paced offense a one-point loss. Irving, nonetheless, performed with postseason-like precision, registering 29 points (on 10-of-17 shooting), alongside seven rebounds, six assists, three steals, two 3-pointers, and a team-high +9 plus-minus.