Kyrie Irving can carry Mavs through tough second half

The Dallas Mavericks need Kyrie Irving to step up to the plate.

Feb 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Shaq’s OGs guard Kyrie Irving (11) of the Dallas Mavericks shoots against Chuck’s Global Stars guard Trae Young (11) of the Atlanta Hawks during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw-Pool Photo via Imagn Images | Ezra Shaw-Pool Photo via Imagn I

Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving has been passed the torch as leader of the franchise.

The 32-year-old point guard is getting up there in age, but nobody from his year in the NBA is better, according to Bleacher Report writer Grant Hughes.

READ MORE: Lakers under 'immense pressure' to sign Luka Doncic after Mavericks trade

Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Kyrie has more responsibility

"Don’t look now, but Irving is only a hot week away from being on pace to log the second 50-40-90 season of his career. That he’s managed that level of efficiency in long stints as a first option while former teammate Luka Dončić was sidelined only adds to the impressiveness of the potential feat," Hughes writes.

"Irving is still as incendiary a scorer as there is in the league, capable of manufacturing shots from all areas of the floor against any defender. His finishing craft is as breathtaking as ever, he can’t be forced into concessions by high-pressure defense and he’s the only 32-year-old you’d trust to occupy a top-option offensive role on a quality offense.

"Rudy Gobert isn’t at DPOY levels anymore, and everyone else in this age is either a sub-par starter or a reserve. This one goes to Irving in a landslide."

Irving and the Mavs are back in action as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.

READ MORE: Luka Doncic speaks out on how he spent his first All-Star break as a Laker

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