Mavericks: Kyrie Irving provides exactly what Luka Doncic has needed all season

DALLAS — There was a point in time where if Luka Doncic didn't touch the ball on a Dallas Mavericks offensive possession, it may as well have been a turnover. That has changed since the arrival of Kyrie Irving. The superstar guard has fit directly next to Doncic with ease. Irving provides the flare with […]

Ian Kayanja

Feb 25, 2023 8:09 PM EST

Feb 23, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (2) waits for play to resume against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at the American Airlines Center

DALLAS — There was a point in time where if Luka Doncic didn't touch the ball on a Dallas Mavericks offensive possession, it may as well have been a turnover.

That has changed since the arrival of Kyrie Irving. The superstar guard has fit directly next to Doncic with ease. Irving provides the flare with dazzling finishes and impossible shots. But he also provides the substance that allows Doncic to sit in the corner and take open shots in catch-and-shoot scenarios. A situation he hasn't had the luxury of enjoying all season.

Have you seen Luka left that open before Kyrie came to Dallas?

This is exciting! pic.twitter.com/aHtXBowGXn
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) February 25, 2023

For Dallas to make a run to the Western Conference finals again, the ball should run through Irving. He dominates the game without dominating the ball. And his presence as a downhill threat and three-level scorer only makes Doncic a more potent offensive weapon.

"His ability not to just score but to be able to get wide-open shots for his teammates," Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said of how Irving makes the game easy. "Those two feed off each other… And the game just becomes easier."

The belief that Doncic and Irving couldn't work together because they both need the ball has been disproven. The results couldn't be further from the assumption.

I asked Tim Hardaway Jr. about how Kyrie Irving's presence on the floor has created some opportunities for Luka Doncic to attack off the catch:

"It's great because he's off the ball, and now you have defenders instead of not helping off as much, now they have to help because… pic.twitter.com/KCYZ5JlWZK
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 25, 2023

Doncic has moved off the ball, willingly. He has enjoyed the rest that comes with having elite talent. And though the defense — or lack thereof — is concerning, Dallas appears deadset on outscoring opponents.

The return of Maxi Kleber from his hamstring injury may help the Mavericks marginally. He participated in practice on Friday. But odds are Dallas will never be the elite defensive team it was last season. The Mavericks don't have to be. With two top-five offensive guards, a skillful offensive big in Christian Wood, and floor spacers in Reggie Bullock and Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas doesn't have to worry about defense. It just has to keep scoring the ball.

And for Doncic, he doesn't have to worry about making sure the offensive engine continues to hum on his own — Irving is there to pick up the slack when Doncic can't go alone.

"It's a different game," Kidd said. "This is something we are taking full advantage of."