As the new NBA season approaches, teams are preparing intensively. However, Mavericks star Kyrie · Irving revealed in an interview with The Athletic that he had received death threats due to off-court incidents. This news once again pushed Owen to the forefront of public opinion. However, Mavericks owner Mark · Cuban backed up Irving in a subsequent interview, saying that he was a misunderstood man with a heart of gold.
Over the past few seasons, Irving has come under intense pressure due to a series of off-court incidents, especially during his time with the Brooklyn Nets. Among the most publicized incidents were his refusal to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, which left him unable to play in several cities, and his sharing of links to alleged anti-Semitic content, which led to an even greater controversy.
When asked about the impact of these off-site incidents, Owen admitted: "It has resulted in death threats and the need for more security, as well as keeping me and my family free to move around in public because we fear possible harm." I felt like I was being treated unfairly, but despite that, I took my responsibility and learned from it. Owen's words reveal his inner struggle in the face of a storm of public opinion.
Irving's confession has led to a re-examination of his performance in the public eye over the past few years. As a star player, he not only has to endure competitive pressure, but also deal with all kinds of criticism and challenges off the field.
Faced with doubts about Irving, Mavericks owner Mark · Cuban chose to publicly support the star. In Kuban's view, Owen has been repeatedly criticized because he has been misunderstood. Cuban said candidly in an interview: "Before I did my homework, I thought Irving was a cancer and couldn't fit into any team. But when the opportunity arose, we began a full-scale investigation into him. ”
Cuban further explained his position: "Kidd and Harrison know him well, and I've talked to people who have worked with him, and everybody loves Irving. No one has ever said anything bad about him. Actually, Owen was misunderstood, he had a heart of gold. He just wants to help people, and look at his social media, it's all about how he supports the tribes and people around him. Once I saw this, trading him became very simple. ”
Cuban's words not only show his trust in Irving, but also show the careful consideration of the Mavericks' management when bringing in Irving. As Cuban said, the Mavericks conducted detailed investigations and evaluations before approaching Irving to ensure he could fit in and be an important part of their quest for victory.
Since joining the Mavericks, Irving has shown a completely different form than he did with the Cavaliers, Celtics and Nets. He's become more focused on basketball itself, and the off-court controversy seems to fade as he blends in with the Mavericks. Last season, Irving's partnership with Luka · Doncic not only helped the Mavericks re-emerge, but also led the team to the Western Conference Finals and won the Western Conference championship. This achievement is undoubtedly proof that Irving remains one of the most talented players in the NBA.
Looking ahead to the upcoming new season, Irving will be enjoying his third season with the Mavericks. There is a lot of expectation from the outside world that he can help the Mavericks take it to the next level and even compete for the second NBA championship of his career. For Irving, refocusing on basketball itself is undoubtedly the best option. Cuban has also mentioned many times that Irving's off-court behavior will not affect his performance on the court, which is the greatest value that Irving brings to the Mavericks.
Despite Irving's off-court controversy in recent years, many fans and industry insiders have become more accommodating and understanding of him after he refocused on the game. On social media, some fans said: "Irving did make some bad decisions, but he is also trying to correct them, and we should give him more support and time." Another segment of the fan base believes that Irving is still a highly talented player and that as long as he focuses on basketball, he remains one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league.
At the same time, Cuban's support has undoubtedly injected more confidence and motivation into Irving. Cuban has always been known for supporting players, and his support for Irving not only shows the outside world another side of Irving, but also shows the trust and expectation that Mavericks management has for the star.
With the new season just around the corner, can Irving lead the Mavericks to another great streak? Will his on-field performances make the controversial star recognizable? Regardless of the answer, Irving's basketball talent and leadership will be one of the key factors in the Mavericks' ability to challenge for a championship this season. Everyone is waiting to see what he will do in the future.
What do you think of Owen's personality and skills? Let us know in the comments section and discuss the controversial but talented NBA star.