Luka Doncic 'A Bad European!' Kyrie Irving Reveals Thoughts on Mavs Trade - LIVE FROM LA
LOS ANGELES - Using a trade with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks went from being a team that needed to find a co-star to pair with Luka Doncic to suddenly being the only team with multiple starters in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.
And as far as Kyrie is concerned, speaking here in Los Angeles for the first time as a Mav?
"It's been nothing but a warm embrace and nothing but genuine love,'' he told us.
After a polarizing tenure with the Nets, Irving is looking forward to turning the page and embracing a new environment. Before Irving was traded to the Mavs, various teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and LA Clippers, had been in the mix. Dallas ultimately got the deal done by sending Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and multiple second round picks to Brooklyn.
Irving is having yet another impressive season, averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists with strong efficiency. By joining forces with Doncic, the Mavs now have the NBA's highest scoring duo this season with a combined 60.5 points per game being averaged between the two stars.
"Super excited, grateful for opportunity, really for wanted, and I know that they had to give up some pieces for me to get here, so I don't take that for granted," Irving said of his first thoughts about the trade. "Shout out to Mr. Cuban, the whole entire front office, the Dallas organization, and I've been here for about 48 hours or a little bit more than that — it's been nothing but a warm embrace and nothing but genuine love.
"I'm just taking it one minute at a time and, just focus on what I can control, which is how I come in every single day and be consistent."
After flying to Los Angeles earlier on Tuesday, Irving participated in the team's practice at USC ahead of their matchup against the LA Clippers. Irving is set to make his Mavs debut on Wednesday. Doncic, who remains sidelined as he recovers from a heel contusion, did not participate in Tuesday's practice and won't arrive in Los Angeles until the day of the game. The two stars have yet to have an in-person meeting since the trade, but have exchanged text messages.
"I texted Luka. He texted me, so just waiting to see him in person. I don't really do the phone calls and text messages. ... I like eye-to-eye contact with people and embracing them in a different type of way. It's just more human that way."
While Irving's Mavs debut will take place on Wednesday, Doncic will not play. The soonest the two stars could play together will be in Sacramento during one of the two matchups they have with the Kings to wrap up their five-game Western Conference road trip.
When Doncic and Irving take the floor together, will they be a clean fit? It takes time for any player to adjust to a new situation, leaning the nuances that come with new teammates and things of that nature. Irving is comfortable leaning on his experience playing alongside other superstar talents during his NBA career and with the Olympics to help him fit in anywhere.
"It's still a wait-and-see, but I think of me as a hooper, me as a basketball player, am I worried about us coexisting or finding cohesion? No," Irving said when asked about any concerns fitting with Doncic on the court. "I've played with some of the best of all time, the greatest of all time. I've been on some of the greatest teams — at the Olympics and in the world championship."
Irving hasn't played with a talent with the style of Doncic's methodical pace and explosive overall game, which intrigues him about playing for the Mavs. Irving even compared Doncic's ability to dominate at his own pace to Larry Bird.
"I think this is gonna be my first time seeing like one of those bad Europeans come over and really dominate up close and have the opportunity to do it at a pace that I don't think has been seen before, other than like Larry Bird, or think somebody else that just plays at their own pace, scores a bunch of points and is constantly in an MVP conversation every year just cause he commands that much attention."
Irving is a seasoned veteran and he made it clear that he doesn't feel pressure to immediately make a seamless fit with Doncic. He takes pride in playing free and appreciating the talent of his superstar teammate as they contend for what would be the Mavs' second ever championship.
"As much as I can alleviate for him, as much as I can lead alongside him, willing to do, but there's no pressure here, nothing's forced with me and him," Irving said. "I just want to play by basketball and enjoy his talent and enjoy my teammate's talent and, you know, work towards the championship."
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