In addition to the reunion between Kyrie Irving and the Celtics, the Finals 2024 will also mark those between Kristaps Porzingis and the Mavericks. Present in Texas between 2019 and 2022, the Latvian never managed to fully flourish there and he ended up being transferred to the Wizards.
Two years later, here he is ready to reunite with his ex and in particular Luka Doncicthe player with whom he was supposed to bring Dallas at the top. Without success, while the Mavs have never made it through a round of playoffs with this tandem, reaching the Western Conference final a few months after… the departure of “KP”.
Luka Doncic doesn't understand the rumors…
Obviously, as this poster with the sweet smell of revenge approaches, certain observers did not fail to raise the temperature, evoking supposed tensions between Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic…
“ Make no mistake: [Kristaps] Porzingis is not liked in Dallas. [Luka] Doncic didn't like playing with him, there is animosity and as soon as he touches the ball he will be whistled » for example assured Chandler Parsonspassed through Dallas in the middle of the last decade.
Words which obviously reached the ears of Luka Doncic, in total incomprehension about these rumors.
“ I've talked to Chandler Parsons maybe twice in my life, so I don't know how he could know that…Kristaps and I have a good relationship, I don't know why people say otherwise » thus questioned the Slovenian, preferring not to pay too much attention to it.
Then add : “ I don't know why it didn't work [entre nous]. We were both still young, we tried to make it work, but it just didn't happen. So we moved on. »
Kristaps Porzingis has put this failure behind him
As for Kristaps Porzingis, he for his part went in the direction of Luka Doncic, retaining only the good from his time with the Mavs marked by frustrating injuries, at the worst time.
“ It wasn't all bad » he considered. “ We had some good moments, except that overall it didn't work out for both sides. I know there were, at that time, rumors about the dressing room, but that wasn't the case, it was just noise. […] It wasn't perfect between us when we played together, and it just didn't work out, nothing more. There's no hard feelings on my side, I don't know about theirs, but I don't think there should be. It just didn't work out, but I have nothing but love for Dallas, my teammates and everyone there. »
Even if he is also aware that their duo did not fully satisfy the Texan leaders, Kristaps Porzingis can in any case only bow to the feats achieved, match after match, by Luka Doncic.
“ He is one of the best players in the league and on the planet » complimented the Boston interior. “ It will be a difficult challenge for us to try to stop him. As soon as he came into the league, he had a huge impact, and then I was able to play alongside him for a few years and know him, as a person and as a player, know his mindset, and that's it. is someone special. A great challenge awaits us facing someone like him. »
