As the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks open the NBA Finals, two players will face off against their former teams in hopes of hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Former Mavericks guard Kristaps Porzingis is looking to end Boston’s championship drought, which has stretched back to 2008. He’ll face Dallas, the team that last tasted glory in 2011.
And the Mavericks have former Celtics player Kyrie Irving, part of a dynamic Dallas backcourt that combined skill and grit to reach the Finals.
This will be the culmination of a season’s worth of blood, sweat and tears, and with the return of two stars it’ll only be that much more exciting.
Celtics “Unicorn”
For 16 years, the Boston Celtics have endured the close calls, the what ifs and the heartbreaking close calls that have forced fans to prepare for the worst.
But with Porzingis at the helm, the Celtics now have the best chance to finally win a championship as they prepare for their second Finals appearance in two years.
Last June, the Celtics made a bold and groundbreaking decision: They traded guard Marcus Smart to the Washington Wizards in a three-team trade in exchange for center Porzingis.
The unexpected move shocked fans — Smart was a key member of the team and even dyed his hair green — and signaled Boston was committed to winning the title.
Porzingis never meshed well with superstar Luka Doncic during his time with Dallas, which has seen him miss the playoffs thus far, but his development since leaving the team in 2022 could be a sticking point for the team when he returns from injury.
The 28-year-old has been nicknamed “The Unicorn” for his versatility and shooting ability, and he could be a defining presence in this best-of-seven series.
Porzingis’ shooting ability will force Dallas to play better on the perimeter.
It’s a defensive tactic they haven’t employed much in the playoffs so far, and having him behind the arc could create space for stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to exploit, putting a strain on the Mavericks.
The Celtics lost just two games in the playoffs, beating the injury-riddled Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers by 4-1 scores and dominating the Indiana Pacers, 4-0, in the Eastern Conference Finals.
With the best regular season record in the league and arguably the strongest and most well-rounded starting five, the Celtics, under head coach Joe Mazzulla, may finally have the perfect formula for winning a championship.
The Heretic Returns to Boston
For Dallas, attention will be focused not only on how Doncic performs in his first Finals appearance, but also on the controversial return of Irving.
One of the league’s most enigmatic and shocking players, Irving has had a well-publicized and checkered past with the Celtics.
His departure from Boston in 2019 left many fans feeling uneasy. He initially told fans he would sign a new contract, but then his relationship with the team soured, culminating in a trade to the Brooklyn Nets.
The series is a chance for Irving to redeem himself, not only to silence his critics in Boston but also to show the world he can get the job done without LeBron James, an accusation that has dogged him since winning a championship with Cleveland in 2016.
The 32-year-old’s ball-handling prowess, scoring ability and performance in key moments are undeniable, and alongside Doncic, he forms one of the most formidable backcourts in recent memory.
Doncic has already established himself as one of the great players of his generation, and his vision, court decision-making and scoring ability make him a nightmare for any defender.
For Irving, this series isn’t just a chance to win a title, it’s a chance to rewrite his story and cement his legend in a city that once rejected him. For Doncic, it’s a chance to take his burgeoning career to historic heights.
Despite Boston’s defensive strength, it will be put to the test as it tries to deal with Irving’s explosive drives and Doncic’s deadly shooting.
Jason Kidd’s Mavericks had a tougher playoff run than Boston, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.
But that tenacity should serve them well against an elite Celtics team, and if the two star guards can keep up their commitment and maintain a high level, the Mavericks have a shot at victory.
