Their complementarity was not obvious last season, and yet the relationship Luka Doncic – Kyrie Irving made the Mavericks grow. It must be said that there were many questions about the former Nets player who was more talked about for non-sporting reasons than for his talent in Brooklyn.
Worse, his arrival was marked by a fiasco: the absence of the playoffs last season and even a huge fine ($750,000) for its leaders after voluntarily abandoning the end of the season. But Mark Cuban believed in it, he even extended Kyrie Irving, and his confidence was rewarded. Both on a collective level, with this NBA final, but also on an individual level with Luka Doncic becoming more of a leader.
“This guy next to me continued to push me, make me work and develop me as a young leader,” reports Kyrie Irving. “I didn't have a perfect run, before I came into this environment I didn't know how we were going to operate on the field, but off the field I knew I would get it open. This guy is sometimes a big teddy bear off the field. But he's a big competitor. »
Luka Doncic more professional?
Today, the connection works with these NBA Finals but the impact of Kyrie Irving on Luka Doncic goes further. Because by observing the routine of “Uncle Drew”, the Slovenian understood the interest of daily work. “Kyrie has his routine to take care of his body, and Luka sees all of that, he adheres to all of that, and it shows”testifies Tim Hardaway Jr. “Seeing Luka from his rookie year to now, it’s a 180° turnaround. »
An opinion shared by God Shammgod, the former player who is part of the Mavericks staff, while emphasizing that this influence is mutual. “Luka learned discipline from seeing Kai’s (Kyrie Irving) daily routine” he believes. “And I really believe that Kai, with Luka, has learned to put joy into the way he plays. »
The trigger in Abu Dhabi
The trip to the Abu Dhabi Games 2023 also allowed the two leaders to get to know each other and create a real relationship. “I think Luka realized on this trip that Kai is comfortable with attention and that people like Kai,” reports a team employee. “So he can be everything Luka is not.” »
A relationship that was enriched throughout the pre-season, Kyrie Irving pushing Luka Doncic to open up to the group.
“With Kyrie so positive and motivated to put the team first, Luka is learning to act like a better leader and a true pro”concludes Tim Hardaway Jr. “It makes the guys want to fight for him. »
