Celtics legends point out ‘goofy’ Mavericks players for not taking NBA Finals seriously

Game 5 of the Playoffs is at Boston and the Mavericks would hope to come out with another win to force Game 6 at Dallas.

Celtics legends point out ‘goofy’ Mavericks players for not taking NBA Finals seriously

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett

Celtics legends Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett recently shared their thoughts on the NBA Finals, specifically calling out the Dallas Mavericks for not taking the series seriously enough. On the KG Certified podcast, Garnett noted that during a shootaround, everyone except Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic seemed relaxed and were dancing. Pierce echoed this sentiment, describing the Mavericks’ warm-up routine as “goofy” and reminiscent of a regular season game against Orlando.

Paul Pierce expressed his disbelief at the Mavericks’ lack of focus, and emphasized that the Finals require a higher level of seriousness, which he felt was lacking from the Mavericks. Kevin Garnett and Pierce’s comments suggest that the Mavericks’ casual demeanor may be a sign of complacency, which could ultimately hurt their chances in the series.

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I watched NBA TV the other day, and I watched the shoot around. Everybody else was, you know, loose, and they was dancing and shit and it looked real relaxed on the shoot around. Was two motherf**** that wasn’t smiling and was two motherf**** that weren’t doing none of that sh**, Kyrie Irving and Luka.
Kevin Garnett said

Paul Pierce then went on to resonate Garnett’s sentiments.

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It was a lot of goofy sh** going on in they sh**… But this is the Finals bro. It’s a level of seriousness. It’s a level of focus that you got to have like… It looked goofy.
Paul Pierce said

Garnett and Pierce’s comments are not surprising, given their reputation for being fierce competitors during their playing days. They know what it takes to win at the highest level and are likely frustrated by the Mavericks’ lack of intensity. 

In the end, Garnett and Pierce’s comments serve as a reminder of the high standards required to succeed in the NBA Finals. Game Five of the Playoffs is at Boston and the Mavericks would hope to come out with another win to force Game 6 at Dallas and maybe delay the C’s from NBA glory.

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett sing Luka Doncic’s praises

Luka Doncic has faced criticism for his behavior in the NBA Finals, including complaining to referees. However, despite these flaws, Doncic has led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals and has been a generational talent, averaging 28.7 points per game in his career.

Two Boston Celtics legends, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, have praised Doncic on their podcast. Pierce noted that Doncic entered the league in his prime and has consistently performed at a high level, finishing top five in MVP voting in all but one season. Garnett went further, saying that Doncic is the only player capable of matching LeBron James’ achievements.

It's 100% his prime because you got to understand he's been playing pro since 16. Right now, he's 25. He's in the middle of his prime. ... Come on now, he has five First-Team All-NBAs. He made first team since second year in the league. So, when he hit the league, he hit the league in his prime.
Kevin Garnett said

Despite the Mavericks’ likely defeat in the NBA Finals, Doncic’s talent and work ethic ensure that he will bounce back next season with another strong performance. His career trajectory suggests that an NBA title and MVP award are inevitable, and he will continue to be a dominant force in the league for years to come.

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