Mark Cuban Opens Up On Luka Doncic And Kyrie Irving Leading Dallas To The NBA Finals

Mark Cuban recently opened up about the journey of his team's star duo, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, as they led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in the 2023-24 season. After a rocky start following Irving's midseason acquisition from the Brooklyn Nets in 2023, many had doubted whether the two could coexist and thrive together on the court. However, Cuban emphasized that the team's patience and commitment to building chemistry paid off, during an episode of the 'Roommates Show.'

"With Kai, he came in and Luka was hurt and we won 3-1 when Luka was out and then they had to try to gel and the deferred to each other too much and then our season was a lost season."

"So it was just like, let’s just take the summer and they did. Going into camp, they learned how to play together. J-Kidd is great at dealing with guys at that level of talent and we’re able to put it together."

In the interview, Mark Cuban reflected on the challenges the team faced when Irving first joined the Mavericks. The pairing of Doncic and Irving initially struggled, leading to a disappointing 5-11 record in the games they played together during the latter half of the 2022-23 season. This raised questions about whether the experiment had failed and whether the Dallas Mavericks had made a mistake in acquiring Irving.

However, Cuban and the Mavericks coaching staff, led by head coach Jason Kidd, believed in the potential of the duo. They focused on using the offseason to allow Doncic and Irving to develop chemistry and better understand each other's playing styles.

Their hard work bore fruit as the 2023-24 season unfolded. Doncic and Irving transformed into one of the league's most formidable backcourts, delivering consistent and electrifying performances that propelled Dallas through the Western Conference. Despite losing to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals, their journey to the Finals was a testament to their growth and resilience as a duo.

Cuban acknowledged that while the duo didn't win the championship, the experience of reaching the Finals set the stage for even greater success in the future. With another offseason to further hone their partnership, the Mavericks are poised to be an even stronger contender in the 2024-25 season, with Doncic and Irving leading the charge.

Mark Cuban Was Nervous After Kyrie Irving Trade

Mark Cuban recently admitted that he was nervous after trading for Kyrie Irving , one of the most significant trades in the franchise's history. The deal, which saw the Mavericks part with Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and three draft picks, was aimed at bolstering the team's chances of winning a championship. However, Cuban revealed during an appearance on the 'Roommates Show' podcast that anxiety comes with every trade, and this one was no different.

He added that some deals that initially seemed great had turned out poorly, while others that looked questionable had worked out well. Cuban's nerves were heightened by the initial struggles of the Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving partnership during the 2022-2023 season.

Doncic's injuries prevented the duo from spending enough time together on the court, leading to a disappointing season where the Mavericks missed the play-in tournament. However, the summer break allowed them to develop better chemistry, thanks to head coach Jason Kidd’s guidance.

By the 2023-2024 season, the Doncic-Irving duo had found their rhythm, leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals. As they head into the new season, Cuban and the Mavericks are hopeful that this partnership will finally bring the Larry O’Brien trophy back to Dallas.

Related: Mavericks' Mark Cuban Opens Up On The Addition Of Klay Thompson

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