During an interview with Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Kyrie Irving revealed why he and Luka Doncic have connected so well on the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks are 24-18 on the season and both Irving and Doncic are putting up stellar numbers.
“He’s a winner. I’m a winner,” Irving said. “He’s a big gamer. I’m a big gamer. We like going against the best. That’s where I feel like we connect. … At this point in his career, in my career, particularly talking about me and Luka, it’s about how we galvanize the rest of the group. We help each other grow as people, and then the basketball part is the easy part. I needed mentors when I was growing up in the league, so I feel like that’s the role I play here, being a very young mentor to Luka [and] to all our guys.”
Doncic is averaging 33.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks this season. The four-time All-Star is third in the NBA in total points, second in points per game, sixth in total assists and third in assists per game.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Meanwhile, Irving is averaging 25.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks. The eight-time All-Star seems to have found a home with the Mavericks, who signed Irving to a three-year, $126 million contract last offseason.
“Dallas gave me a chance to just focus on the main thing, which is being the best basketball player when I stepped foot here,” Irving said. “And then off the court still support me.”
The Mavericks are in sixth place in the Western Conference standings. With Doncic and Irving leading the way, Dallas looks like legitimate contenders.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks Updates
“I think what you saw last year was us having the utmost respect for each other and not trying to step on each other’s toes,” Irving said.”He has created a legacy here already, and I’m the new guy coming into Dallas. … There’s a synchronicity that people have felt for the last six years with him and built that camaraderie with him. So I just wanted to add onto that.”
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
