Luka Doncic can’t believe what Kyrie Irving is capable of. On Hot Ones, the Lakers star spoke about his teammate’s incredible skill set, admitting that Irving’s ball handling and creativity are unlike anything he’s ever seen and nearly impossible to learn.
“I’ve seen a lot, especially in practice, he tries even more,” Doncic said. “In the games, he does things that nobody can try, but in practice, he tries even more. When you think you stop him, he always finds a way to get to the basket. The ball handling, you can’t learn that. He tried to teach me a little bit, but you can’t do it. The things he does, you can’t.”
Doncic and Irving were teammates for a relatively brief period, from early 2023 to February 2025. They played 87 games together, going 52-35 on the Mavericks. They also made the NBA Finals in 2024, losing to Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics in five games. While their time together was relatively short-lived, they developed a mutual respect for each other and still maintain a strong personal bond to this day.
So when Luka was asked about the NBA’s best ball handlers, it was an easy decision to name Irving. He witnessed his game up close and even tried to get a few lessons from the veteran point guard before parting ways. Unlike the fans, Doncic got to see a different side to Kyrie Irving and frequently played him in practice where he pulled off even more outlandish moves.
For Irving, control of the basketball comes like second nature and it makes scoring extraordinarily easier. At 6’2″ and 195 pounds, his speed and quickness give him an added advantage on the court and help him create space for shots. But really, it’s Kyrie’s handles that make him special and allow him to thrive as he does offensively.
Over 14 years in the NBA, this mastery of the dribble has resulted in a legendary career that includes nine All-Star appearances, three All-NBA selections, and a championship in 2016. With career averages of 23.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game on 47.3% shooting, Irving’s legacy is set as one of the best point guards in modern NBA history.
Sadly, Irving and Doncic never got to see their partnership through. Right when things were finally looking up, the franchise traded Luka, leaving Doncic to play on with Klay Thompson and Anthony Davis. The results have been mixed so far, but the Mavs believe they have enough to win the title as-is.
For Irving, the recovery process continues as he works his way back from an ACL tear. With the rehab still ongoing, only time will tell how he plays upon his return but his type of skills are not easily lost. For Kyrie, it’s only a matter of “when,” not “if” he returns to full strength again and that’s great news for a Mavericks team with so much invested in his success.
Kyrie Irving may be on the sideline now, but his impact is still being felt across the league. For Doncic, getting to play with him was an education in greatness and a reminder of just how rare that level of talent is. Irving’s handles, creativity, and flair are part of what makes the NBA so entertaining, and when he finally returns to the court, the game will be better for it.
