The eager countdown for Game 1 of the NBA Finals has begun. The Eastern giants, Boston, are viewed to be the favorites. Having lost just 2 games in the postseason so far, Jayson Tatum and Co. have looked unflappable in front of the varied schemes they have faced on both ends of the floors. However, the opposition has mind freaks of their own. Apart from Dallas having Luka Doncic’s impeccable acumen, they have the genius of Jason Kidd reading the game. As one of the great point guards, Kidd sees the game from a decision-making point of view. And his instincts have the confidence of LeBron James.

In a conversation with JJ Redick, the 39-year-old All-Star forward admitted his admiration for the Mavericks. “I know Laker Nation is going for the Dallas Laker Mavericks,” he said sarcastically. James spent two seasons with Kidd, as he was the assistant coach of the Lakers, in 2020 when they claimed a 17th NBA championship. However, it wasn’t just supporting a former colleague. James is well aware of Kidd’s intellect when it comes to dealing with colossal opposition such as the Celtics.

The Akron Hammer thinks he and his staff will have a solution to the Shamrocks’ three-point dominant offense. “I have a lot of confidence that J-Kidd and his staff you know, being able to work with those guys for some years, that they will have a game plan that’s similar to what they were doing obviously. Because when you get to this point of the postseason you can’t just tear everything up and say ‘Oh we got a new thing for them’. No, you can’t do that,” he told Redick.

If this isn’t enough to prove LeBron James is supporting the Mavs, there was another instance. When the conversation about Kyrie Irving came up, it struck a cord within James. His words clearly translated his inner sentiments. He regarded KAI as a wizard. “There was nothing on the basketball floor that Kyrie couldn’t do, and sitting here watching it, I’m so f*****g happy and so proud. And to watch his growth, and at the same time, I’m so f*****g mad that I’m not his running mate anymore,” he said to Redick on Mind the Game podcast.

After the heaps of praise, James concluded by saying Irving was the most gifted player he had ever seen. Mavericks have two such basketball prodigies on their team who can bring the storm at any time. Irving and Doncic have linked to become one of the most colossal NBA duos. All that’s left is one final test against Kyrie’s former team and the best in the regular season, the Celtics.

Kyrie Irving is prepared to bulldoze the Celtics

There is a history between the Celtics and Irving. Once upon a time, he draped the very green after parting ways with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In front of thousands of fans, he even admitted to signing an extension and remaining a Shamrock. That very offseason, he requested a trade and moved to Brooklyn. That began his flaming dynamic with the Celtics fans.

Each time he visited, profanity was being shouted at him. It even brought out the ugly side of Kyrie Irving, who during one of their meeting even flashed his middle finger at the fans. However, times have now changed. Since coming to Dallas, KAI has returned to being a calm and collected person. He seems to have found joy in playing basketball once again. Despite being well aware of the raging fans waiting for him, Kyrie reciprocated with nothing but respect for the franchise.

“Now that I’m in a great place to be able to vocalize how I’m feeling, I’m ready to go back into Boston and have fun with my teammates. I know we’re gonna be locked in. We’re going against a great Boston team that has earned their way to the NBA Finals,” he said, after defeating the Timberwolves in Game 5.

The battle is now only hours away. Irving has waited for his chance at redemption (from Celtics fans) and triumph. Only hours remain for Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Boston. Do you think he will silence the intense TD Garden or will their pressure derail the Mav?

Let us know what you think in the comments below.