The 2024 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics is set to get underway on Thursday, and former Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas has some surprising love for Dallas on the ‘Bully Ball' podcast:
Thomas was asked which team in the series has the best player, and he responded, “Dallas. They've got two of the best ever. Obviously, Jayson Tatum and those guys are really good. Jaylen Brown is really good. But Luka and Kyrie are something we haven't seen.”
Thomas is basically saying that the Mavericks not only have the best player in the series in Luka Doncic but, with Kyrie Irving, have the two best players – even over Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown.
Of course, not everyone agrees with Thomas.
There is a general consensus among sports fans heading into this series that the Mavericks have the best player of the two teams in Doncic, but that Boston probably has more talent overall. The best player on the Celtics of course is Tatum, and recently, sports media personality Stephen A. Smith took to First Take to make a controversial statement, as he has been known to do, that will have Mavericks fans riled up.
“I'm going to go with Jayson Tatum, believe it or not,” said Smith, when asked who has had the better career thus far between Doncic and Tatum. “Here's a couple of things. Luka's been in the league for six years. He's missed the playoffs twice, and he's been bounced out of the first round twice. So, four of the six years, he either hasn't made it past the first round or hasn't made it to the first round at all… In Jayson Tatum's seven years in the NBA, he's only been bounced out of the first round one time. He's been to five conference finals, and now his second NBA Finals appearance, and when you look at that kind of resume, that's where I think he gets the edge.”
Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals nearly underway
Game 1 between the Mavericks and Celtics will be on Thursday from Boston.
If there is one thing that is apparent before this series even gets underway, it is that this year's title means a lot to both organizations. The Celtics are looking to claim the 18th title in franchise history and their first since 2008. The Mavericks are looking to capture the second championship in franchise history. In doing so, Dallas would become the 12th team in the league with multiple titles.
Interestingly enough, the last time the Mavericks won an NBA Finals, Jason Kidd was helping lead the way next to Dirk Nowitzki, who many tend to call the greatest international player ever. Now, Kidd has a chance to guide the Mavs to their second championship, only this time he is their head coach and may be witnessing the start of Doncic's reign as the greatest European basketball player.
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