2023-07-24 17:24:00
A free agent during the offseason, Kyrie Irving extended for three seasons at the Mavericks following being transferred to Dallas last February. And to bounce back from a very disappointing 2022-23 season, the Mavs will need – among other things – the duo between Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic to work at full speed. A simple formality for the owner Mark Cuban…
Because yes, the Mavs owner is very confident in the ability of these two offensive geniuses to evolve well together, as he indicated during an interview on NBASiriusXM Radio. He is confident because in his eyes, the hierarchy in the team is clear for everyone, and especially within the duo.
“Kyrie is mature enough to know this is Luka’s team. Luka knows it’s Luka’s team. Kyrie knows it’s Luka’s team. That is the most important. He [Kyrie, ndlr.] is ready to play the role of shooting guard, and when Luka is out, we have a point guard who can score and create for others.
They are two players who make their teammates better. And that, we did not have before.”
Sacrificing Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie and draft capital to recover Kyrie in order to provide real offensive support to Luka Doncic (orphan of Jalen Brunson who left for the Knicks in the 2022 offseason), the Mavericks ended up collapsing following the February trade deadline. However, the two stars dropped big stats by combining almost 60 points between them. But they shone rather in turn than together and then above all, the defense went into open door mode.
If offensively, we have more confidence in the ability of the duo to find each other better and better – let’s not forget that Kyrie was a hit alongside LeBron James in Cleveland -, we wonder if the Mavs will succeed in compensating for the defensive limits of their stars. Because it is really this element that will determine whether Dallas manages to bounce back or not in 2023-24, following missing the Playoffs this season. Owner Mark Cuban and general manager Nico Harrison snagged Grant Williams from the Free Agency market, snapped up center Richaun Holmes via trade (along with rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper) and drafted insider Derrick Lively II to bolster the Texas racquet.
Mavs owner Mark Cuban spoke of how Kyrie Irving will mesh with backcourt partner Luka Doncic:
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 24, 2023
Overall, we like the offseason made by the Mavericks. With the reinforcements that have arrived in Dallas, and the duo Kyrie – Luka which should be better and better, we can therefore be optimistic regarding the ability of the Texans to forget last season. But can this group return to the heights of the West two years following playing a conference final? Well, that remains to be seen…
__________
Source texte : NBASiriusXM Radio
1690220601
#Kyrie #Irving #Luka #Doncics #team