Kyrie Irving’s NBA Finals Collapse: Stephen A. Smith’s Harsh Reality Check

“Kyrie Irving is undeniably a superstar in this league,” Smith began, his tone filled with a mix of respect and frustration. “We should be very proud of him. He’s conquered numerous obstacles.” Yet, Smith didn’t hold back when addressing Irving’s lackluster showing in the finals, a performance that left many fans and analysts scratching their heads.

On ESPN’s ‘First Take’, Smith did not sugarcoat his views. “Basketball-wise, Kyrie’s performance in Boston was abysmal by his standards. He disappeared when his team needed him the most, and it was frankly shocking,” Smith declared. He highlighted the stark contrast in Irving’s stats: averaging 28 points per game with stellar shooting percentages in Dallas, but dropping to a dismal 14.3 points per game with a woeful 34% from the field in Boston.

Smith didn’t stop there. He pointed out that the hostile Boston environment seemed to rattle Irving. “Boston got in his head, and I don’t just mean the players. The city, the fans, the relentless ‘Kyrie sucks’ chants – they all took a toll on him,” Smith explained. He reminded viewers that Irving’s contentious departure from the Celtics in 2019 made him a villain in the eyes of Boston’s passionate fanbase, adding another layer of pressure.

Despite these harsh truths, Smith wasn’t ready to write off Irving just yet. “Kyrie Irving has a history of bouncing back. He’s a champion, after all,” Smith noted, hinting at Irving’s potential for redemption. Still, he acknowledged that shaking off this poor performance in Boston would be a formidable challenge for the star guard.

The 2024 NBA Finals concluded with the Boston Celtics emerging victorious over the Dallas Mavericks in five games, securing their 18th championship title and their first since 2008. Jaylen Brown, who consistently delivered for his team, earned the Finals MVP award with averages of 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and five assists per game.

Smith’s critique serves as a reminder that even the greatest players are not immune to criticism and that the pressure of high-stakes games can expose even the smallest cracks in a superstar’s armor. The question now is whether Kyrie Irving can silence his critics and reclaim his place among the NBA’s elite.