In possessing two of the NBA’s most outstanding attacking guards, the Dallas Mavericks boast a formidable offensive arsenal in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The duo seamlessly executes flexible offensive plays, leveraging their scoring abilities across various positions.
An illustrative moment from a game against the Houston Rockets showcases their synergy. With Kyrie Irving dribbling past midcourt, he swiftly passes to Luka Doncic on the right wing. Following this, Irving rushes to set a screen for Doncic.
This strategic move isn’t aimed at Irving trailing behind the screen for a cut to the basket or drifting to the three-point line. Its primary impact lies in forcing a defensive switch. The Houston Rockets are compelled to substitute Dillon Brooks, guarding Doncic, with the smaller and less defensively adept Fred VanVleet.
What unfolds next is a predictable scenario. Exploiting his height advantage of 6’7″ and weight of 230 pounds compared to VanVleet’s 6’0″ and 185 pounds, Doncic skillfully maneuvers into the midrange area. Executing a well-timed pump fake, he completely eliminates VanVleet, delivering a shot beyond the reach of Jabari Smith Jr. to score effortlessly.
This is just one of the myriad situations where the Dallas Mavericks utilize Kyrie Irving to create a one-on-one advantage for Luka Doncic. Irving himself gained extensive experience in executing similar strategies as LeBron James’ teammate at the Cleveland Cavaliers during their peak years.
In the prime years of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the LeBron James-Kyrie Irving duo effectively employed such situations to gain an advantage. When the ball was in LeBron’s hands, opponents would switch to a smaller defender. Conversely, if Kyrie Irving had possession, LeBron James would assist in defensive switches, placing Irving one-on-one against a taller but slower opponent. This tactic was a means for the Cavaliers to exploit weaknesses in the opposing team’s defense.
Irving and Doncic create a threat akin to this, with Doncic serving as a unique European version of LeBron James. While lacking explosive athleticism, the Slovenian player compensates with basketball IQ, versatile scoring abilities, and extraordinary strategic awareness.
Doncic excels in creating opportunities for teammates when passing is required. In situations demanding close-range attacks but lacking speed, he skillfully navigates defenses with agility and ball-handling prowess. On the other hand, Kyrie Irving, despite entering his 30s, remains among the top five independent scorers in the NBA. His efficiency in converting points in various scenarios is consistently high. Irving’s adept ball-handling at high speeds has always been a trademark skill.
Furthermore, Kyrie Irving excels in the catch-and-shoot role for three-pointers. With an impressive 46.5% accuracy, Irving’s performance surpasses even the most exceptional sharpshooters during their prime, such as Klay Thompson. When Irving has the ball, opponents must be wary of all potential outcomes, making him one of the most challenging players to defend in the NBA.
A similar example is presented in the video below, demonstrating Luka Doncic setting a screen while Kyrie Irving assumes a one-on-one role. With two versatile players on the court, the Dallas Mavericks can interchange their roles as needed.
While some may argue that having two ball-dominant players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could diminish each other’s capabilities, the statistics and scenarios above demonstrate that the Dallas Mavericks can effectively distribute ball-handling responsibilities between the two players. The areas for improvement lie in enhancing the effectiveness of satellite players on the court.
As the team enters the playoff stage, the ability of stars to shine independently becomes a potent weapon, especially with a slower pace and teams increasingly playing half-court offense. While the Mavericks may not yet be championship contenders, they possess the potential to become a formidable force against any opponent.
