Everything changed on March 3, though, as Irving tore his ACL against the Sacramento Kings, concurrently tanking Dallas' chances of making a playoff run. The Mavs don't have the star power to compete for a title without Irving, and fan engagement ever since that injury has been way down.
Mavs fans were heartbroken to see Irving go down just over a month before the playoffs began, but when reflecting on his season, it was remarkable to watch his level of production even in his 14th season in the NBA. Regardless of Irving's dominance on the court, his work as Dallas' leader on and off the court is what also really stood out.
Irving is the heart and soul of the Mavericks, and he has been the clear-cut leader of the team for almost his entire tenure with the team. Everyone around him listens to him, and his wisdom stretches way beyond the basketball court.
Irving's award nomination proves what Celtics and Nets fans won't admit
The NBA decided to honor him this week by naming him as a finalist for the NBA Sportsmanship Award, along with Jarrett Allen, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jrue Holiday, and Franz Wagner. This is a huge honor for Irving to be in consideration to win this award, and it shows how much he has grown as a person over the years.
His days with the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics were filled with some immature moments that he has grown past, including some unreliable leadership in Boston, promising to re-sign with the Celtics and then leaving the next summer, sharing a link to an antisemitic film on social media while on the Nets, and even requesting a trade out of Brooklyn when they were contenders, and Celtics and Nets fans still hold tons of resent towards him even though he has clearly matured on and off the floor.
Celtics fans are still angry over how things went down with Irving, as he is always flooded with boos when he plays at the TD Garden, and although it seems like their hatred towards Irving will never fade away (even though his left game with Boston was nearly six years ago), him being a finalist for the Sportsmanship Award shows that it's time for these Celtics and Nets fans to move on.
Irving is not the same player or person from his days in Brooklyn or Boston, and rather than constantly throwing hatred his way, maybe it's time to appreciate greatness. He is one of the most skilled players to ever play the game, and basketball fans should appreciate his greatness on and off the floor before it's too late.
His NBA career has been filled with ups and downs on the hardwood and off it, but he has truly reached the highest point when it comes to leadership. Irving has moved past his time with the Celtics and Nets, as he is focused on winning a title with the Mavericks.
