Dallas Mavericks veteran Kyrie Irving gave a candid assessment of the modern NBA landscape, expressing that the league has changed from the one he fell in love with as a teenager. The comments came as the Mavericks prepare for their next preseason fixture, an away game against the Houston Rockets on October 21, following a 111-135 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on October 16.
Speaking to media at the team's practice facility, Irving, 34, was asked about extending his career into his late 30s. He said he does not see himself playing until age 42 or 43. The eight-time All-Star explained his perspective is not born of bitterness but observation. "You have social media and gambling, which is running rampant, and it’s not the same NBA that I fell in love with as a kid," Irving stated. He noted the game feels "more robotic" and less human than when he entered the league in 2011.
Irving pointed to the prevalence of sports betting education sessions and a greater focus on mental health as key shifts. While he views some changes positively, the overall environment gives him pause about a prolonged career. His current focus remains on the upcoming season with the Mavericks, who are looking to build chemistry after a mixed preseason slate.
The team's preparation has seen varied results. Their preseason schedule included a 117-135 loss to the Houston Rockets on October 9, followed by a 132-115 win over the same opponent on October 11. They then dropped a close 97-101 game to the New Orleans Pelicans on October 14 before the recent 24-point defeat to Atlanta. These games are primarily for evaluating rotations and conditioning, with wins and losses carrying less weight.
Coach Jason Kidd is likely using these contests to experiment with lineups and integrate Irving fully with fellow star Luka Dončić. The offensive firepower is evident, but defensive consistency has been a challenge, as the 135 points allowed to both the Hawks and Rockets indicate.
The immediate focus is the final preseason matchup, a rematch against the Houston Rockets on October 21. It's a final chance to fine-tune schemes before the regular season tips off. For Irving, the broader question of his career length lingers. He acknowledged the financial incentives for younger players but highlighted concerns about addiction and the pressure of the digital age.
His comments add a layer of introspection to the preseason grind. The Mavericks' success this season could influence his outlook, but for now, his commitment is to the present roster. The front office will be monitoring his performance and leadership closely as they aim for a deep playoff run. How the team gels in these final tune-up games will offer clues about their regular-season readiness.
