SUMMARY
- Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic were seen having a three-point contest following Mavericks practice session.
- Irving claims that he didn't want any off-court issue to cost the Mavericks a playoff run.
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic blew past a ton of narratives that were put forth regarding their pairing. Last season, the former NBA Champion had a controversial end to his run with the Brooklyn Nets. However, the Dallas Mavericks acquired him by the trade deadline. Initially, the Mavericks suffered to succeed with Kyrie on the team and they eventually missed the playoffs. However, that hasn’t been the case during the 2023-24 season.
The All-Star duo gelled together very well leading the Mavericks to the fifth seed in the Western Conference. As you can see in the video above, Doncic and Irving spent some quality time together shooting three-pointers following a Mavericks practice session. Over the regular season, there were many instances that proved how both players have great chemistry, which is why Dallas has shown more success now than ever.
Kyrie Irving opens up about being deemed “locker room cancer”
The Mavericks will be playing against the LA Clippers in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Kyrie Irving is currently in his best situation to possibly win his second title ever since his tenure with the Boston Celtics. Since leaving the Celtics, Irving has been involved in a lot of off-court drama that dually affected the Nets’ overall chemistry. However, since joining the Mavericks, Irving has shown more dedication to the game than putting his mind to personal battles.
He said, “I know what it feels like to fail for the past six years and not reach our team goals or individual goals. I use that energy to get me prepared for what’s coming.” Irving added, “Somehow I was called a chaos agent for a little bit. There was a narrative that I’m a locker room cancer. I don’t mind being the butt of anybody’s joke, but not at the expense of my teammates’ success, our success as an organization.”
Kyrie Irving reveals he grew tired of being called a ‘chaos agent’ and ‘locker room cancer’
“I’ve taken a lot of hits, learned how to hit back, learned how to protect myself.”
(🎥 @JoeyMistretta_ )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 18, 2024
Irving had been relatively quiet and more focused on winning this season, especially since he’s playing alongside a legitimate MVP candidate, Luka Doncic. The former Rookie of the Year will not be playing under, but playing against coach Tyronn Lue this time. They won a championship together with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
Kyrie Irving knows what it would take for him and Luka Doncic to beat Tyronn Lue
The Mavericks have looked like the best Western Conference lately, going 16-4 in their 20 games during the regular season. Kyrie Irving’s presence on offense was pivotal in the Mavericks’ run towards the end as he averaged 25.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Irving touched on whether his history with Lue would play a factor in the Mavericks vs Clippers series.
He said, “I know him well enough at the point. He knows me well enough but I’m at a different place in my life, he’s at a different place in his life. I’m not the young kid that he can put in these predicaments. I kinda know what to expect but I’m intrigued to see what adjustments he’s going to make.”
Kyrie Irving right before Jason Kidd’s post-practice press: “If anybody ask a question I don’t like, just watch… we’re focused. Don’t got time for no bullsh*t.”
Playoff mode activated lol Luka and Kyrie’s bond with Kidd is very close and they want him as their leader. pic.twitter.com/mxfcIIF3dQ
— Mavs Fans For Life (@MavsFansForLife) April 19, 2024
The Clippers have a few concerns moving into the playoffs surrounding Kawhi Leonard. The 2019 NBA Champion has faced a couple of injuries late in the season, missing their last eight games at the end. Leonard is listed as questionable for Game 1 against the Mavericks. LA has home-court advantage but losing to Dallas would be a big blow for the rest of the series.