The All-Star combination of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic for the Dallas Mavericks was crucial in helping the team win the NBA Finals this year. Both players have thus been acknowledged as the best point guards who can have an influence on the forthcoming campaign.
In 2023, the Mavericks took a risk by teaming up superstars Doncic and Irving, an unexpected combination that many did not think would work. But Jason Kidd and the Mavs coaching staff thought they could unite these divisive characters and turn them into title contenders. Irving was once again signed by the Mavericks to a three-year, $120 million contract, demonstrating their commitment to the relationship despite early difficulties. Doncic and Irving have developed a stronger trust as well as a stronger on-court relationship over the past eight months. The Mavericks are currently vying for their first NBA title since 2011 after adding the ideal pieces to match the superstar tandem.
Although the Mavericks’ conviction in their goal and their patience in allowing the partnership to grow have paid off, the road to this point has not been easy. The Mavericks are now a serious title contender thanks to the front office and coaching staff of the team’s persistent dedication to making this odd combination work.
Where Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks Stand among the Top 25 Point Guards for 2024–25 Although there were initial reservations about their pairing, Dallas benefited greatly in the end. Frank Urbina of Hoops Hype conducted an analysis and found that Irving and Doncic are two of the best point guards for the next season, with Irving ranking first and the former in 11th position.
Doncic led the league in scoring with 33.9 points per game, along with 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He finished third in the 2023–24 MVP voting, his best result to date. He accomplished that with a career-best accuracy percentage of 38.2 percent from three points and 48.7 percent shooting from the field.
Doncic had Dallas looking like a serious contender after the trade deadline, finishing second in the league in both BPM and VORP. That turned out to be accurate as well, as Doncic guided the Mavericks through a competitive and packed Western Conference all the way to the NBA Finals.
Overall, the 25-year-old manages to get better every year, which is even more remarkable given that he just received five consecutive selections to the First Team All-NBA, according to Urbina.
“On talent alone or in light of his recent postseason success, Irving would be ranked higher, but his body of effort throughout the regular season typically falls a little short. Since 2019, Irving has only been named to one All-NBA Team; that was in 2021, three full seasons ago, on the third team.
Although Irving misses a lot of games—he hasn’t played in more than 60 regular-season games since 2018–19—his play in the regular season is still impressive. Over the previous three seasons combined, the former No. 1 overall pick has averaged 26.6 points and 5.4 assists on 49.0 percent shooting. Urbina added.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the MVP runner-up to Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, is in second place. Stephen Curry, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jalen Brunson complete the top five. There is no doubting the teammates’ effectiveness on the court, even though there is a difference in their projections. When the NBA resumes play later this year, don’t be surprised if Irving and Doncic perform exceptionally well.