The NBA Conference Finals are in full swing and there’s no doubt that the Dallas Mavericks have asserted their authority. Taking on the promising Minnesota Timberwolves, Lone State superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have taken the Mavs to a whole new level, peaking at the most pertinent point of the year – the playoffs.
While Doncic has arguably been one of the most versatile players in The Association for several years, he has yet to win a championship ring. He’s never even played on a team that has reached the Finals. However, he’s poised to taste the pinnacle of professional success now that he has the perfect partner in Kyrie Irving.
In Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, this set of superheroes scored 33 points apiece, to take an almost insurmountable 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. With the prodigious pair putting up prolific numbers, it’s looking more and more like the Mavs might procure their first NBA Championship since 2011.
Irving & Doncic Have Dominated For Dallas
The playmaking Irving has played perfectly alongside the multi-talented Doncic. Irving’s ability to slash to the basket has freed up his 6’7″ teammate to flash his many skills. If the point guard doesn’t have an open look or an easy-as-cake take to the basket? He can kick it out to Luka for a three-pointer or a mid-range jumper. So, it’s like a double shot of poison, with two of the best in the world giving teams a toxic taste of their combined brilliance.
There’s a symmetry in how they play together, while it’s admittedly a bit of a clash of styles. However, it’s led to a dazzling Dallas offense that has peaked at playoff time. In the current series against Minnesota, the Mavericks have averaged 111 points a game as a team. Doncic and Irving have accounted for nearly 50% of their offensive output during that stretch.
Following Dallas’ Game 3 victory, Doncic made sure to acknowledge his fellow hoops hero.
“It’s amazing, you know… (Kyrie Irving) was born for these situations,” Doncic told the media. “He was born for the clutch situations, so we just give the ball to him.”
A Historical Pairing?
As Doncic and Irving continue to gain a reputation as the Batman and Superman of the Mavericks’ lineup, they have naturally drawn comparisons to other perfect, playoff partnerships of the past: Jordan and Pippen. Magic and Kareem. Kobe and Shaq.
It’s even been alleged by sports media personality Skip Bayless that the Dallas duo might be the most clutch combination in NBA history. Forsaking the fact that they haven’t finished this year’s playoff push just yet, the controversial commentator has already christened Doncic and Irving as being among the elite.
“When they need to create and make a shot, they are up there all-time with the best I have ever seen,” Bayless said. “They are figuring out (now) how to do it together.”
.@RealSkipBayless says Kyrie and Luka Dončić are making a case as the clutchest duo in NBA history: pic.twitter.com/U7h3iOcYtb
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) May 27, 2024
While Doncic and Irving certainly deserve all the compliments that any pundit can hand them, the ultimate path to prove their greatness will be to hoist a trophy when it’s all said and done. Based on how they’ve been playing thus far, it seems as if they have the Mavericks ready to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
Until then… stay tuned. Same Mavs time, same Mavs channel.
For More Great Content
Ryan K Boman is the author of the 2023 book, Pop Music & Peanut Butter: A Collection of Essays about Embracing Life with Laughter & Love. His previous work has appeared at The Miami Herald, SB Nation, Bounding into Sports, and Yardbarker. Follow him on social media @RyanKBoman.
Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
