NBA All-Star Game: Mavs' Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving Reflect On Honor
SALT LAKE CITY — The Dallas Mavericks will arguably be the best-represented team at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Both players were named starters in the event, making them the only teammates to do so.
While Doncic, who earned his fourth All-Star appearance, said he looks forward most to going to Mexico during his All-Star break, he is grateful first to be involved in the All-Star festivities in Salt Lake City. It isn't lost on him that only a few players earn the honor, let alone multiple times.
"It's just fun, you know. I appreciate being here," Doncic said of being an All-Star. "Not a lot of people can say they're an All-Star, you know, All-Star multiple times. So I'm really excited to be here."
Irving is set to play in his eighth NBA All-Star Game, and like Doncic, it still means a lot to him to be voted in each time. Irving is annually one of the NBA's most popularly voted players by fans and players.
"I'm just grateful for the people at home. I would not be here without y'all," Irving said earlier this season as a member of the Nets. "Y’all voted me in, and I'm ready to give a show."
Irving did mention that he'd like to see the All-Star game be more competitive than it has been. With so many elite players on the same floor, if that type of effort was applied, it would be a truly special event.
"I would love to see some competition in an All-Star game and, and actually make it worth the fans while and just come out and compete," Irving said. "I know we have a second season to get ready for, but it is one game to play against my peers and separate ourselves, and I just take it in a different serious tone.
"So I'll come prepared tomorrow and get a feel of the game, but other than that, I'm coming to do my work."
When asked to pick his favorite All-Star memory, Irving chose the first one he was involved in back in 2012 in Orlando. It was a chance to be around some of the game's legends like Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett while they were still performing at high levels.
"My favorite would be my first experience of All-Star, which was in Orlando in 2012. I got a chance to see a lot of the Hall of Famers that are no longer in our league play at a high level. You know, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, you know, I was still around during those quote unquote super teams or veterans that were always in position to win championships. So the first one definitely Orlando."
The All-Star Game is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. CST on Sunday at Vivint Arena.
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