[Saba Sports News] Kyrie Irving, chosen first in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, recently expressed in an interview that he wishes the Dallas Mavericks had drafted him instead, believing it would have been more beneficial for his career. Reflecting on his need for mentorship and guidance as a young player, Irving shared with Rachel Nichols his hindsight perspective on what could have helped him succeed at a higher level.
“Me getting drafted as a young person, needing a lot of mentorship, needing a lot of nurturing, I can look back on it now and reflect and have 20/20 vision on it and say, ‘I could have used this,'” Irving told Rachel Nichols. “In present day, I’m just grateful that I’m here and I’m able to really identify the things that one would need to be successful at the highest level.”
At 31, Irving emphasizes his commitment to winning and feels that being part of the right organization is crucial for personal development. He values learning from those more knowledgeable and experienced, and feels that being with the Dallas Mavericks now offers him the environment to become the best version of himself.
“I knew that if I gave myself a chance to be around people that knew more than me, that were smarter than me in certain instances and I can learn from, then I can be the best version of myself,” Irving continued. “So, being here in Dallas affords that and the long history of players and all that good stuff.”
Irving notes that joining a team like the Mavericks, rather than the Cavaliers, could have been advantageous. In 2011, Dallas was a consistent title contender with a reputation for being well-managed. The presence of veterans like Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, now the head coach, would have been significant for a young player like Irving. However, the Mavericks, having won the championship in 2011, held the 26th draft pick and couldn’t select him.
In contrast, the Cavaliers had been contenders primarily due to LeBron James. Following James’ departure in 2010, the team struggled, highlighting its management issues. This contrasted with the stability and structure of the Mavericks organization.