Kyrie Irving shows where his true priorities are after not being selected to Team USA

The Dallas Mavericks recently wrapped up their regular season with a 50-32 record. However, fans are more excited about the upcoming playoff matchup with the team's longtime rival, the LA Clippers. When the two rivals tip off on Sunday, it will officially mark the third time in five seasons fans have been treated to a Clippers and Mavs first-round series.

With the first two matchups not going Dallas' way, this could be the Mavericks' best shot at overthrowing the Clippers, given the injury to Kawhi Leonard. Additionally, Dallas closed out the regular season going 16-4 in their last 20 games, while the Clippers struggled to maintain the same production they once had after the All-Star break.

While all the focus in the basketball world has shifted to the upcoming NBA Playoffs, Team USA recently announced their 12-man roster for the 2024 Olympics, which will be played in Paris this summer.

Kyrie Irving shows his focus is winning a championship, not playing for Team USA

Despite winning two gold medals in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, Kyrie Irving's name was conveniently left out of the 12-man roster. Irving has expressed his desire to play for Team USA in the past, but it seems that dream will not become a reality.

When asked about not being selected for Team USA, Irving had this to say "I would have loved to (play for Team USA)…I just didn’t fit into this team…I grew up in a time where we actually had to try out for USAB and we did meetup as a group and as peers and there was a mutual respect we earned from one another in trying out and then seeing what five meshed well…"

Irving would go on to say that his biggest priority now is to compete for another NBA Championship. With the playoffs looming, this sounds like music to fan's ears as they know Irving will be 100 percent locked in for this upcoming playoff series with the Clippers.

Obviously, Irving would have been a fun addition to the USA roster, but it's nice hearing that he is fully focused on winning another championship. Irving has played a huge role in the Mavericks' success this season, being that he has played the second fiddle alongside Luka Doncic.

With the Mavericks' road to the Western Conference Finals getting exponentially easier at the end of the regular season, it will be important that Doncic and Irving play their best brand of basketball against the Clippers.

For more updates on Kyrie Irving and Dallas Mavericks basketball, stay plugged in.