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NBAKyrie Irving Brilliantly Explains What Makes New Teammate Luka Doncic Unstoppable
- Kyrie Irving trade to the Dallas Mavericks is done, and he's set to team up with MVP candidate Luka Doncic
- The 2016 NBA champion praised Doncic's game when the Mavericks played the Brooklyn Nets earlier this season
- The two are now one of the best duos in the NBA
There's a new dynamic duo in the NBA; Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Irving joins the Dallas Mavericks after requesting a trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
The 30-year-old asked to be traded ahead of the NBA trade deadline on February 9th or he will leave in free agency. Irving has been superb for the Nets this season, averaging 27.1 points per game.
Doncic meanwhile is averaging 30+ points per game. Therefore, paring Doncic and Irving automatically makes the team a serious contender in the Western Conference.
The Mavericks have been looking for a sidekick for Doncic ever since Jalen Brunson moved to the New York Knicks in free agency. The team signed Christian Woods in June 2022 to help bolster the roster.
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This season, however, the team has struggled. They have a 28-26 record in the West and although they have a top-10 offense in the NBA, their defense has not been good enough, per the Athletic.
Irving surely elevates the offense, but head coach Jason Kidd will have to figure out how best to play with the two ball-dominant stars.
Irving's thoughts on Doncic
Irving praised Doncic when the Nets played the Mavericks in October 2022. The Mavs won 129-125 in overtime with Doncic scoring a 41-point triple-double. Irving showered the 23-year-old Slovenian with praise after the game.
He explained why the young point guard is good.
"We gotta discuss how long he's been playing professional basketball. i think since 14, 15 years old so he's used to seeing so many defenses and different role that he plays. He plays at an incredible pace, he makes great decisions, most of the offense goes through him. He takes his time a lot and gets to the free throw line. He maximizes on all the rules of basketball," via House of Highlights.
Brooklyn Nets coach Jacque Vaughn calls out Kyrie Irving for trade request
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In 47 NBA games this season, Doncic is averaging 33.4 points per game, the same as Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid. He is in the top 5 in the MVP ladder and may well win it at the end of the season.
Irving's message to Nets fans
After the news of Irving's trade to the Mavericks was announced, he took to Twitter to thank Nets fans for their support in his four tumultuous spell ion Brooklyn.
His time in Brooklyn was far from success. He missed many NBA games after refusing to get vaccinated, then was suspended early this season for sharing a movie which had antisemitic themes.
James on Irving to Lakers links
Sports Brief earlier reported James refusing to comment on Irving's links to the Lakers before the guard was traded to the Mavericks.
He said those questions should be directed to the team's general manager Rob Pelinka. Lakers fans were calling on the Lakers to acquire Irving.
James recently hinted that he wanted more to be done to improve the roster which has struggled this season in the NBA.