Mavs vs. Lakers: Kyrie Irving Motivation for Luka Doncic & LeBron James?
From a Western Conference standings point of view, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers are on different tiers heading into Sunday's matinee matchup at American Airlines Center.
The Mavs are 32-29 and just one game back of the Phoenix Suns for fourth-place in the West. The Lakers, although they have gone 3-1 since the trade deadline, are 28-32 and fighting just to get back into play-in tournament range.
Ever since the Mavs traded for Kyrie Irving nearly three weeks ago, a lot of the focus in the national media has been on LeBron James' desire to recruit Irving away from Dallas and to the Lakers in free agency this summer. Although we believe this particular agenda has more of a "bark" element to it than "bite," we'll give in to the hype for one game.
If the Lakers are truly a threat to the Mavs' attempts to retain Irving in free agency, Sunday presents a good opportunity for Luka Doncic, coach Jason Kidd and the rest of the crew to get an early recruiting pitch in. On the other hand, James will have a chance to make an impression on Irving himself as well.
Dallas has the better basketball situation right now and in the future, and the Mavs need to come out and show the world that -- again -- on primetime television, at least if they want to avoid elevated speculation with Irving and the Lakers.
As great as James is and continues to be, he's 38 years old and closer to the end of his career than his prime. Doncic, whose game has been compared to James' on many occasions, will turn 24 years old on Tuesday and has yet to reach his prime despite being on his way to a fourth consecutive All-NBA First Team selection. Irving's chances of finishing his career with another title -- as well as maximizing his earnings -- are greater alongside Doncic in Dallas than they would be alongside an aging James in LA.
The Lakers have improved their roster with the additions of D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt since their last meeting with Dallas, but the Mavs have greatly improved their ceiling with the additions of Irving and veteran shooting guard Justin Holiday. The Mavs beat the Lakers 119-115 in double overtime the last time these teams met on Jan. 12, and yet, Sunday's matchup has the potential to be even better.
“There’s stars on both sides,” Kidd said. “You got the greatest to ever play with LeBron and the Lakers are a different team with the trade.”
It's Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving vs. LeBron James and Anthony Davis in game that the entire NBA will have its eyes on. Let the fun -- and the drama -- begin.
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